101 Year Old Man Faces Jail for Historical Sex Abuse
Today Ralph Clark, a retired lorry driver, was convicted of a total of 30 historic sex abuse offences. At 101 years old, Mr Clark is thought to be the oldest defendant ever to stand trial in a British court.
Historical sex abuse
Standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Clark pleaded guilty to nine historic sex abuse charges relating to a young boy. However, a jury found him guilty of a further 21 assault and indecency offences, relating to two girls he attacked in the 1970s and 80s.
The court heard how Mr Clark told police he was ‘immune to feelings’, describing his actions as “something that happened” for which he showed no real remorse. Prosecutors added the man was “lucid” with an “excellent memory”.
Detective Constable Emma Fennon from West Midlands Police’s historical sex abuse team also described Mr Clark’s offences “horrific”, confirming that Clarke showed no remorse.
Possible prison sentence
Discussing the merits of sending a 101 year old individual to prison, Det Con Fennon added:
“The day that not prosecuting someone who hurts a child is not in the public interest, we may as well all pack up and go home.”
She went on to say that his age was “no defence to what he has done”.
While Judge Richard Bond, presiding over the case, told the court he needed to “ponder with care” regarding the sentence handed to Mr Clark and that the public would be ‘horrified’ if he did not receive a custodial sentence. He added:
“The reality is that he’s so old it’s unlikely he’ll be released back into the community.”
Mr Clark, who was born in 1915, is due to be sentenced next week.
Sexual abuse claims – expert advice
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Source: BBC News; Guardian
