STOWMARKET MECHANIC CLIVE HOWARD ADMITTED TO DECADES OF RAPE AND KIDNAPPING IN SUFFOLK AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the local communities of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, Clive Howard, a 56-year-old mechanic from Stowmarket, has confessed to a long history of sexual assaults, including multiple rapes and attempted kidnappings spanning over 28 years. Howard, who maintained a seemingly ordinary life working as a garage mechanic and residing with his elderly parents in Battisford near Stowmarket, concealed a dark and violent secret that only came to light after a series of police investigations and forensic evidence.

Howard’s life appeared unremarkable on the surface. He was known as a respectable professional with no prior criminal record, and he even had an 82-year-old girlfriend. Despite this outward appearance of normalcy, he was living a double life filled with violent crimes against women. His criminal activities, which remained hidden for nearly three decades, included a series of brutal rapes and attempted abductions that left victims traumatized and police baffled for years.

The turning point in the case came in May 2014 when Howard was linked to a violent attack in Norwich. On that day, a woman in her twenties was walking home after a night out when Howard offered her a lift. Instead of a safe ride, he subjected her to a rape in a car parked at St Helens Wharf. The victim attempted to record his vehicle’s registration number, but Howard quickly grabbed her phone and threw it into nearby bushes before speeding away. Fortunately, she managed to recover her phone and dial 999, alerting police to the assault.

Using CCTV footage, authorities were able to obtain part of the suspect’s vehicle registration, which led them directly to Howard, the registered owner of the car. His arrest followed shortly after, and he was charged with the assault. Detective Sergeant Chris Burgess of the Norfolk Police rape investigation unit commented on the case, emphasizing the rarity of such serial offenses. “Cases like this don’t come up very often — we’re talking about a serial rapist,” he stated. “We want to give people the chance to come forward.”

Howard initially denied the Norwich rape but changed his plea on the day of his trial at Norwich Crown Court. He admitted to seven counts of rape, three attempted kidnappings, and one count of attempted rape, with offenses dating from 1986 to 2014. The police investigation revealed that Howard’s crimes extended beyond Norwich, with links to incidents in Cambridgeshire, where similar patterns of behavior were identified.

His DNA was entered into the national police database, which uncovered a connection to an unsolved attempted kidnapping case in Cambridgeshire from 2013. During that incident, a woman in her twenties was approached in Christ’s Pieces park in Cambridge on May 5, 2013. Howard attempted to abduct her, but she fought back, scratching him in the process. DNA evidence collected from beneath her fingernail matched Howard’s profile. Further investigations linked him to three other attempted kidnappings in Cambridge, including one just 30 minutes before the attack at Christ’s Pieces, and two additional attempts on women during the night of February 15, 2014.

Detective Sergeant Burgess expressed concern that there may be more victims in Norfolk, Suffolk, or Cambridge who have yet to come forward. “It’s very rare,” he said, urging women who might have been targeted to step forward and share their experiences. The pattern of Howard’s attacks involved approaching women walking alone at night, often after getting out of a vehicle, with the intent to abduct or assault them.

Howard’s arrest was triggered by a specific incident in Norwich, but the police believe his criminal activities spanned many years and locations. His crimes included six counts of rape against a woman between November 1986 and March 1993, further illustrating the extent of his violent history.

He was remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on April 20. Judge Stephen Holt acknowledged Howard’s guilty plea, noting that it spared his victims the ordeal of testifying in court. The judge also indicated that a full pre-sentence report would be prepared, including an assessment of whether Howard should be classified as a dangerous offender.

Detective Sergeant Burgess highlighted the importance of victims’ bravery in coming forward, especially given the traumatic nature of sexual assault. He expressed confidence that Howard’s removal from the streets would make the community safer. “Howard’s guilty plea demonstrates the strong case police had against him,” he said. “Women are safer with this dangerous man off the streets, and I hope his guilty plea helps his victims move forward from this terrible experience.”

Despite his violent past, Howard maintained a facade of normalcy, living with his elderly parents and working as a mechanic in Suffolk. He was also actively seeking new sexual partners through internet dating sites, further underscoring the disturbing contrast between his outward appearance and his criminal behavior.