DOUGLAS CLARK FROM PETERHEAD SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN ABERDEEN

In a harrowing case heard at the High Court in Aberdeen, Douglas Clark, a 55-year-old man from Peterhead, was sentenced to a decade behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls under his care. The abuse spanned several decades, beginning in the 1960s and continuing into the 1990s, with the most recent incidents occurring between 1996 and shortly thereafter, when victims came forward to police.

Clark’s disturbing pattern of misconduct involved sexually abusing multiple young girls, some as young as six years old. The court was told that his actions were driven by an uncontrollable urge to touch and exploit vulnerable children, leaving deep psychological scars on his victims. The abuse was not limited to a single period but was a recurring pattern that persisted over many years, with Clark admitting to abusing three girls in the 1960s and 1970s, and three more in the 1990s.

One of the victims, who is now in her 30s, broke down in tears as the sentence was announced, expressing her anguish by saying, “That’s not long enough — we have got a life sentence.” Her words underscored the profound and lasting impact of Clark’s actions. Prosecutor Martin Jones, known as the advocate-depute, highlighted that Clark’s abuse became increasingly severe as his victims grew older. He also revealed that Clark had threatened some of the girls, warning them that if they disclosed what was happening, they would be taken away from their families, further manipulating and intimidating them.

The court heard that the young girls, many of tender age, lacked the understanding of what was happening to them, which was not surprising given their innocence. One victim, now a young woman, has been so traumatized that she fears men and has been unable to marry. She has also inflicted self-harm as a result of her distress.

During the proceedings, Clark’s defense lawyer, Mhairi Richards, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “Mr Clark accepts this catalogue of offences is inevitably going to lead to a lengthy prison sentence.” The judge, Lord Eassie, emphasized that Clark’s abuse had caused “lasting and adverse” effects on his victims’ lives and deserved a severe penalty. As Clark was led away from the courtroom, he showed no visible emotion. He was subsequently placed on the Sex Offenders Register, marking the beginning of his punishment for the crimes committed in Peterhead and Aberdeen.