A Salford man has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. The victim’s mother told the court the abuse left her daughter struggling with depression, anxiety and trust issues, while missing four years of education.
The offences first came to light in October 2022 when the victim’s mother discovered messages between Clarke and her daughter on a laptop at home. Some of the conversations referenced pregnancy tests and suggested the pair had been involved in a sexual relationship.
Police launched an immediate investigation and arrested Clarke the same day. Officers later recovered evidence from his mobile phone showing sexually explicit communication between Clarke and the child between August and October 2022.
Investigators also found photographs of the pair together, including images showing the victim hugging Clarke and kissing him on the cheek.
Despite the evidence, Clarke denied the offences during police interviews, claiming his accounts had been hacked and saying he could not remember the messages. However, on the opening day of his trial in March this year, he pleaded guilty to all charges.
Alongside his prison sentence, Clarke has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He has also been banned from contacting the victim through a restraining order.
In a statement read to the court, the victim’s mother spoke emotionally about the lasting impact the abuse has had on her daughter’s life.
“She was suffering with severe depression and anxiety at the time,” she said. “She did not attend school for four years. It is hard to put into words the impact this has had on her as she approaches her adult life.”
She added that her daughter, once “fun and outgoing”, had become withdrawn and struggled to trust people or build relationships.
Detective Constable Robert Webster, from GMP Salford’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, praised the victim for helping officers build the case.
He said: “I’d like to thank the brave victim for sitting through interviews and helping us build a case against Clarke.
“We understand it must have been very painful for her to revisit the abuse she was subjected to in order to help us with the investigation.”
He also urged anyone affected by sexual abuse to come forward and seek support.
Anyone wishing to report sexual abuse can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or via the LiveChat service on the GMP website. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Support services available across Greater Manchester include Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Greater Manchester Rape Crisis and Survivors Manchester.
