ANDREW CLINGO'S SHAMEFUL CRIME IN LANGTOFT AND PETERBOROUGH: TEACHER TURNED SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED
| Red Rose Database
Langtoft Sexual Abuser
In May 2019, the reputation of Andrew Clingo, a once well-liked and charismatic figure in the local community, was irrevocably tarnished as he was sentenced to eight years in prison for serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy. Clingo, who was the founder and musical director of the Handful of Harmonies Choir and a former primary school teacher, faced justice at Lincoln Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of multiple charges related to sexual assault.
Clingo, aged 43 and residing at Barleyfield, Langtoft, near Bourne, was convicted of abusing a boy between October 1, 2007, and March 1, 2009, when the victim was aged 14 and 15. Despite his denial of three charges of sexual assault, the jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, indicating the strength of the evidence against him.
The court heard that Clingo was a prominent figure in the local community, involved in various educational and theatrical initiatives. He taught at Fulbridge School in New England, Peterborough, and Bourne Abbey School. Additionally, he managed a Stagecoach Theatre School in Northampton and was active in a local drama group. His reputation as a respected and charismatic individual was exploited to facilitate his abusive actions.
Prosecutor Mark Watson emphasized Clingo's community involvement, stating, “Andrew Clingo is a popular, charismatic man. He is somebody heavily involved in his local community and is well-respected. He runs a drama group. It is that charisma, charm, and popularity that allowed him to abuse this boy.”
The abuse reportedly began when Clingo offered to give the teenage boy a lift in his car. During this journey, at a stop at red traffic lights, Clingo kissed the boy, marking the start of a pattern of escalating misconduct. The prosecutor detailed that Clingo later engaged in sexual acts with the boy, crossing boundaries that caused lasting harm.
Following a police investigation, Clingo was interviewed but denied any sexual contact with the victim. However, the evidence presented in court proved otherwise, and the jury found him guilty of the charges.
The impact on the victim was profound. In a victim impact statement, the boy’s father described Clingo as “a monster” and expressed how his family had been torn apart by Clingo’s actions. The statement revealed that the victim had attempted to take his own life twice, illustrating the severe emotional and psychological toll inflicted by the abuse.
As a result of his conviction, Clingo was sentenced to serve eight years in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. The court also barred him from working with children or vulnerable adults in the future, aiming to prevent any further harm.
Judge Simon Hirst, who delivered the sentence, addressed Clingo directly, stating, “This boy was vulnerable and specifically targeted by you. There was a significant amount of grooming.” The judge’s remarks underscored the predatory nature of Clingo’s conduct and the seriousness of his crimes, which have left a lasting scar on the victim and the community of Langtoft and Peterborough.
Clingo, aged 43 and residing at Barleyfield, Langtoft, near Bourne, was convicted of abusing a boy between October 1, 2007, and March 1, 2009, when the victim was aged 14 and 15. Despite his denial of three charges of sexual assault, the jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, indicating the strength of the evidence against him.
The court heard that Clingo was a prominent figure in the local community, involved in various educational and theatrical initiatives. He taught at Fulbridge School in New England, Peterborough, and Bourne Abbey School. Additionally, he managed a Stagecoach Theatre School in Northampton and was active in a local drama group. His reputation as a respected and charismatic individual was exploited to facilitate his abusive actions.
Prosecutor Mark Watson emphasized Clingo's community involvement, stating, “Andrew Clingo is a popular, charismatic man. He is somebody heavily involved in his local community and is well-respected. He runs a drama group. It is that charisma, charm, and popularity that allowed him to abuse this boy.”
The abuse reportedly began when Clingo offered to give the teenage boy a lift in his car. During this journey, at a stop at red traffic lights, Clingo kissed the boy, marking the start of a pattern of escalating misconduct. The prosecutor detailed that Clingo later engaged in sexual acts with the boy, crossing boundaries that caused lasting harm.
Following a police investigation, Clingo was interviewed but denied any sexual contact with the victim. However, the evidence presented in court proved otherwise, and the jury found him guilty of the charges.
The impact on the victim was profound. In a victim impact statement, the boy’s father described Clingo as “a monster” and expressed how his family had been torn apart by Clingo’s actions. The statement revealed that the victim had attempted to take his own life twice, illustrating the severe emotional and psychological toll inflicted by the abuse.
As a result of his conviction, Clingo was sentenced to serve eight years in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. The court also barred him from working with children or vulnerable adults in the future, aiming to prevent any further harm.
Judge Simon Hirst, who delivered the sentence, addressed Clingo directly, stating, “This boy was vulnerable and specifically targeted by you. There was a significant amount of grooming.” The judge’s remarks underscored the predatory nature of Clingo’s conduct and the seriousness of his crimes, which have left a lasting scar on the victim and the community of Langtoft and Peterborough.