CHRISTOPHER CLARK THE NORTH STIFFORD SERIAL SEX OFFENDER STRIKES AGAIN
| Red Rose Database
North Stifford Rapist
In a chilling case that spans over three decades, Christopher Clark, a notorious sex offender from North Stifford, Essex, has once again been brought to justice for a brutal assault that took place in 1985. The victim, Yolande Kennedy, now 53, vividly recalls the terrifying moment she was attacked at knifepoint while walking to her workplace in North Stifford.
It was early morning, around 6:15 am, when Clark, then a man in his late 30s, held a knife against her back as she waited for her bus. Instead of simply threatening her, he dragged her into an isolated farmyard, where he subjected her to a violent sexual assault. The trauma of that day has haunted her for years, but her resilience and the unusual circumstances of her survival have become a focal point of her story.
Clark, who earned the moniker 'Early Bird rapist' due to his pattern of targeting women during the early hours, managed to evade justice for more than 30 years. It was only in 2017 that DNA evidence finally linked him to the crime, thanks to advances in forensic technology. At that time, Clark was already serving a life sentence for another sexual offence, which he committed in Bristol. His previous conviction had been for a separate attack, and he was incarcerated when Essex Police made their breakthrough.
The police investigation into Clark's 1985 assault was revived in 2016, leading to the discovery of a DNA match that confirmed his involvement. Despite her initial choice to remain anonymous, Ms. Kennedy decided to waive her right to conceal her identity and publicly confront her attacker. In 2018, she appeared at Basildon Crown Court, where she faced Clark for the first time since the attack, which had occurred over three decades earlier.
During her emotional statement, Ms. Kennedy expressed her feelings of abandonment and anger, telling Clark directly, 'You made me feel like nobody. You are a sad old man who will die in pain for what you have done.' Her courage in speaking out was a significant moment in her ongoing journey of healing.
Clark was subsequently sentenced to an additional 13 years for the 1985 assault, along with a five-year extension to his licence period. His criminal history is extensive; he previously gained notoriety when he attacked a teacher just three months after being released from a 14-year prison sentence. That attack involved placing a plastic bag over the victim's head and indecently assaulting her near a bail hostel in Bath, where he was on probation.
Clark's history of violence and sexual offences is marked by a pattern of repeated offending. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1997 after an attack in Bristol, which prompted fears among probation officers that he posed a continuing threat to society. Despite these concerns, he was released after serving nine years of his 14-year sentence, a decision that was heavily criticized at the time. The legal framework prior to the 1991 Criminal Justice Act made it difficult to keep offenders like Clark detained if they were deemed still dangerous, and even his own family members pleaded with authorities to prevent his release.
Clark's case remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the justice system in managing repeat offenders and the importance of technological advancements in solving cold cases. His latest conviction underscores the ongoing efforts to bring closure to victims of long-unsolved crimes and to hold offenders accountable, regardless of how much time has passed.
It was early morning, around 6:15 am, when Clark, then a man in his late 30s, held a knife against her back as she waited for her bus. Instead of simply threatening her, he dragged her into an isolated farmyard, where he subjected her to a violent sexual assault. The trauma of that day has haunted her for years, but her resilience and the unusual circumstances of her survival have become a focal point of her story.
Clark, who earned the moniker 'Early Bird rapist' due to his pattern of targeting women during the early hours, managed to evade justice for more than 30 years. It was only in 2017 that DNA evidence finally linked him to the crime, thanks to advances in forensic technology. At that time, Clark was already serving a life sentence for another sexual offence, which he committed in Bristol. His previous conviction had been for a separate attack, and he was incarcerated when Essex Police made their breakthrough.
The police investigation into Clark's 1985 assault was revived in 2016, leading to the discovery of a DNA match that confirmed his involvement. Despite her initial choice to remain anonymous, Ms. Kennedy decided to waive her right to conceal her identity and publicly confront her attacker. In 2018, she appeared at Basildon Crown Court, where she faced Clark for the first time since the attack, which had occurred over three decades earlier.
During her emotional statement, Ms. Kennedy expressed her feelings of abandonment and anger, telling Clark directly, 'You made me feel like nobody. You are a sad old man who will die in pain for what you have done.' Her courage in speaking out was a significant moment in her ongoing journey of healing.
Clark was subsequently sentenced to an additional 13 years for the 1985 assault, along with a five-year extension to his licence period. His criminal history is extensive; he previously gained notoriety when he attacked a teacher just three months after being released from a 14-year prison sentence. That attack involved placing a plastic bag over the victim's head and indecently assaulting her near a bail hostel in Bath, where he was on probation.
Clark's history of violence and sexual offences is marked by a pattern of repeated offending. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1997 after an attack in Bristol, which prompted fears among probation officers that he posed a continuing threat to society. Despite these concerns, he was released after serving nine years of his 14-year sentence, a decision that was heavily criticized at the time. The legal framework prior to the 1991 Criminal Justice Act made it difficult to keep offenders like Clark detained if they were deemed still dangerous, and even his own family members pleaded with authorities to prevent his release.
Clark's case remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the justice system in managing repeat offenders and the importance of technological advancements in solving cold cases. His latest conviction underscores the ongoing efforts to bring closure to victims of long-unsolved crimes and to hold offenders accountable, regardless of how much time has passed.