KIERON PETER CLARK OF LUDWORTH SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND THEFTS NEAR DURHAM

A man identified as Kieron Peter Clark has been sentenced to a total of 23 months in prison following a violent assault on his girlfriend and a series of theft-related charges. The incident occurred in Ludworth, near Durham, where Clark was residing at the time. The assault took place late last May, after the couple had returned home from an evening out. Clark was quickly apprehended by authorities just two days after the attack at their shared residence.

During the court proceedings at Durham Crown Court, it was revealed that the assault was allegedly committed after the couple's night out, which involved drinking at a friend's house in Easington. Clark, aged 24, initially provided a false account to police, claiming he was in London attending an England football international match at the time of the incident. He later changed his story, asserting he had been with friends in east Durham, before reverting to his original claim of being in London. Despite his attempts to deny the assault causing actual bodily harm, Clark admitted to the court that he had traveled across the country engaging in thefts, primarily to sell stolen goods in London where he could obtain higher prices.

At the conclusion of a trial last month, a jury took less than an hour to unanimously find Clark guilty of the assault. The court also heard that Clark, of Thornton Close, Ludworth, faced additional charges related to thefts from shops, including eight counts of theft or attempted theft. These thefts mainly involved meat products and alcohol. It was disclosed that Clark has an extensive criminal record, with 47 convictions covering 98 offenses, 68 of which are related to dishonesty, all committed since 2007.

During the sentencing hearing, Paul Abrahams, representing Clark, argued that his client’s criminal behavior was exaggerated, suggesting that Clark’s thefts were not part of a larger conspiracy as he had claimed during his testimony. Instead, Abrahams described Clark as a thief, but not to the extent he portrayed himself.

Ultimately, Recorder Euan Duff sentenced Clark to 15 months for the assault, with an additional eight months added for the thefts. The court also imposed a restraining order that prohibits Clark from contacting or attempting to contact his former partner for a period of five years, aiming to protect her from further harm or harassment.