BARRIE CLARKE SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR RAPE AND ABUSE IN BILDSTOWN AND NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

A man identified as Barrie Clarke has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 19 years following his conviction for multiple serious sexual offenses committed against young girls. Clarke, aged 66 and residing on Artiss Close in the village of Bildeston, Suffolk, was found guilty of one count of rape and eight counts of indecent assault. These crimes were committed against a girl more than thirty years ago, with the offenses spanning the late 1980s and early 1990s in North Hertfordshire.

In addition to these convictions, Clarke was also found guilty of indecently assaulting a second girl who was under the age of 15 at the time. Despite his insistence on denying all allegations, the jury at Cambridge Crown Court convicted him after a seven-day trial held in January. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing nature of Clarke’s actions, which have left a lasting impact on the victims involved.

Detective Constable Liz McGrath, who led the investigation into the case, expressed her sentiments regarding the conviction. She stated, “Barrie Clarke's sickening offending has had a long-lasting impact.” Her comments underscore the severity of the crimes and the trauma inflicted upon the victims.

The police investigation uncovered that the offenses took place in North Hertfordshire during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Clarke was initially charged with an additional count of raping a child under 16; however, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on that particular charge. Instead, they convicted him on an alternative count of indecent assault, which still carries significant legal consequences.

Detective Constable McGrath, who was formerly part of the Non-Recent Child Abuse Investigation Team, praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and supporting the police throughout the process. She remarked, “I would like to commend the two victims for reporting these incidents to police and for their support during this difficult time. Clarke preyed on these two young girls and has refused to hold himself accountable for his abhorrent behaviour.”

Clarke’s sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes and the justice served for the victims who endured his predatory actions decades ago. The case highlights the importance of reporting historical abuse and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring offenders to justice, regardless of the passage of time.