DANIEL CLIFT'S SHOCKING NAKED STREET ATTACK IN STOKE-ON-TRENT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

In a disturbing incident that unfolded on the streets of Stoke-on-Trent during the early hours of New Year's Eve, Daniel Clift, a known sex offender with a long history of criminal activity, was involved in a frightening encounter involving a young girl. Clift, who has amassed an alarming total of 69 previous convictions for 135 offences, was found completely unclothed when police arrived at the scene, yet he was still engaging with members of the public outside a pub in Fenton.

The incident occurred around 9:40 pm on December 31, as a mother was escorting her six-year-old daughter to a nearby shop. As the mother reached into the passenger side footwell to retrieve her purse, her daughter exited the vehicle. At that moment, Clift, who was stark naked, was observed walking along the street. The young girl, attempting to get back into the car, was approached by Clift, who placed his right hand on her head and then moved it down onto her shoulder. Witnesses reported that Clift was grinning, smiling, and laughing during this act, which was clearly deliberate.

The mother, witnessing the disturbing scene, shouted at her daughter to get back into the vehicle. The child, visibly upset and screaming, asked questions such as, 'When can we go home? Why did he touch me? Is it safe for me to get out of the car?' The police were called immediately. When officers arrived, they found Clift still naked and talking to people outside the pub. His eyes were dilated, and he appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, later confirmed to be monkey dust, a potent synthetic stimulant.

The child's mother later provided a victim statement, describing the trauma her daughter experienced. She explained that her child was too frightened to leave the car and kept asking why a man was walking around naked and touching her. The mother expressed her disbelief that Clift had a history of similar offences, stating, 'I cannot believe he has done it before. I do not feel safe taking her out or letting her play with her friends.'

Clift, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including exposure, breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and common assault. The court was informed that he has a long history of convictions for exposure. His legal representative, Adam Watkins, highlighted Clift's troubled background, noting that he lost his parents at a young age and was raised within the care system. Watkins also revealed that Clift suffers from significant mental health issues, including a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

Watkins emphasized that Clift's substance misuse, particularly involving illegal drugs like monkey dust, contributed heavily to his actions. He stated, 'He has not helped himself by taking illegal substances up to and including monkey dust. He has been in custody for six months or so and has been reflecting. He wants to work with the authorities and groups to get his condition and his behaviour regulated.' The defense acknowledged that the incident was fleeting and that Clift could not explain or justify his actions, which were rooted in his mental health and substance abuse issues.

Judge Richard McConaghy addressed the court, highlighting the seriousness of Clift's breach of the law and the previous court orders restricting his contact with children. The judge noted that Clift had been subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order since May 5, 2022, which explicitly prohibited him from approaching children. Despite this, Clift was seen walking naked on the street and approaching a young girl, whom he touched while laughing and grinning. The judge described the scene as a severe breach of the SHPO and emphasized the gravity of the offence, especially considering Clift's extensive criminal record.

In sentencing, Judge McConaghy placed Clift on the sex offenders' register for ten years and imposed a new SHPO for the same duration. He also sentenced Clift to three years in prison for his actions, underscoring the importance of protecting the community from individuals with such a troubling history.