PETER CLARKE'S TERROR IN KIRKINTILLOCH: JAIL CELL HARASSMENT AND DOMESTIC ABUSE REVELATIONS

A man named Peter Clarke, aged 41, whose violent and obsessive behavior towards his wife has caused her immense fear and suffering, continued his campaign of harassment even after being incarcerated. Clarke's actions, which spanned over a year and a half, included not only physical violence but also invasive surveillance and relentless communication, all while he was held in custody at Barlinnie prison in Glasgow.

Stacy Drain, a 39-year-old critical care nurse residing in Kirkintilloch, was forced to flee her home and seek refuge at a women’s shelter due to the escalating threats and violence inflicted by her husband. Clarke’s controlling and jealous nature led him to install hidden cameras around their residence, enabling him to monitor her movements constantly. His obsession with surveillance and control was part of a broader pattern of abuse that culminated in a court case where he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behavior that was abusive towards his partner or ex-partner. The Glasgow Sheriff Court convicted Clarke two weeks ago for offenses committed between January 2021 and August 2022.

During her testimony at the court, Stacy recounted the years of torment she endured. She described how Clarke had physically assaulted her, punching and kicking her in the head, and had pressured her into taking a lie detector test costing £400, claiming it was necessary to prove her fidelity. Her ordeal worsened when she discovered hidden cameras and surveillance devices secretly installed in her own home, making her feel constantly watched and unsafe. Clarke’s obsessive jealousy was evident in his demands to access her mobile phone, scrutinizing unfamiliar numbers, and accusing her of infidelity whenever a man answered her calls. Stacy explained that Clarke’s mood swings ranged from expressions of love to violent outbursts, leaving her in a state of constant fear and uncertainty about his next move.

The final breaking point came when Clarke insisted she take the lie detector test. When she refused, he responded with extreme violence, and she feared for her life. Fearing for her safety, Stacy fled to a women’s refuge, seeking protection from her abusive husband. Despite her efforts to seek help, Clarke’s harassment persisted through letters and packages sent from prison. Stacy contacted the Scottish Prison Service to intervene, only to be told that they had limited authority to stop such correspondence unless a non-harassment order was in place or Clarke had been convicted. It was only after her MP intervened that the letters ceased, revealing the systemic inadequacies in protecting victims of domestic abuse from ongoing harassment.

Adding to her distress, Stacy was shocked to learn that Clarke was released on bail last February without her being informed. She expressed her disbelief and frustration, stating, “I had no idea Peter had been freed. I had no idea that I should have been on high alert and watching out for him. Anything could have happened. It was a gross betrayal of a domestic abuse victim.” Her concerns were validated when she received an apology from Glasgow Procurator Fiscal Moira Orr.

Clarke’s bail conditions explicitly prohibited him from entering Kirkintilloch, but he circumvented these restrictions by renting a flat on the town’s border. Stacy recounted further frustrations with law enforcement, noting that when she reported alleged breaches of bail, police officers often argued over whether Clarke had crossed the town boundary. In a disturbing act of intimidation, Clarke posted a picture of “OJ Simpson’s bloodied glove,” a notorious piece of evidence from the Nicole Brown Simpson murder trial, claiming it was “found in Kirkintilloch.”

Currently, a sheriff sitting alone is set to decide on whether Clarke has violated his bail conditions. Later this month, Clarke will face sentencing at Glasgow Sheriff Court for a series of abuse charges. During his trial, Clarke denied responsibility for Stacy’s decision to leave their home, claiming that her departure to the women’s refuge was “nothing to do with me,” further highlighting his denial and lack of remorse for his actions.