PETER CLARKE

A man involved in domestic abuse has been found guilty of assaulting a young girl and engaging in cannabis use with her.

Peter Clarke, aged 42, is accused of repeatedly targeting the girl over a period from November 2008 to December 2021.

The court heard that Clarke first approached the girl, pushed her, causing her to fall at his residence in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

He then stood over her and struck her multiple times in the head and body.

During the proceedings at Glasgow Sheriff Court, it was also revealed that Clarke made insulting comments about her during this period.

It was reported that Clarke commented on her weight and encouraged her to smoke cannabis, even suggesting they do it together.

In an earlier case in 2024, Clarke was convicted of domestic abuse against his wife, receiving a sentence of 300 hours of unpaid work along with a tagging requirement.

He previously verbally abused her, accusing her of infidelity, and took her phone.

He also paid £400 for a lie detector test and assaulted her when she refused to cooperate.

On another occasion, Clarke kicked her in the head "like a football" while she was suffering from Covid.

After separating from the woman and returning to the family home, she discovered a tiny camera hidden inside the standby light of her Sky TV box.

Clarke was convicted for his recent charges of assaulting the girl and causing her unnecessary suffering as a minor.

The young woman, now 20, recalled that around 2021 she had been smoking cannabis frequently with Clarke.

She explained, "One night he was smoking it in front of me, and I must have asked him for some.

Since then, it happened more often." The judge, Sheriff Tony Kelly, postponed sentencing until next month to review background reports but allowed Clarke to remain on bail in the meantime.

**update** A man with a criminal record for domestic violence, who assaulted a young woman and used cannabis with her, has been sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid community work.

Peter Clarke, aged 43, repeatedly targeted his now 20-year-old victim between November 2018 and December 2021.

The incident began when Clarke approached the girl, pushed her forcefully, causing her to fall at his residence in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

He then stood over her and assaulted her with multiple punches to her head and body.

During proceedings at Glasgow Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Clarke also made demeaning comments about her, including remarks about her weight, and encouraged her to smoke cannabis, suggesting they do it together.

Clarke was previously convicted in 2024 on domestic abuse charges relating to his wife, resulting in a maximum penalty of 300 hours of unpaid work and the fitting of an electronic tag.

He has also been accused of manipulation, such as seizing the woman's phone and paying £400 for a lie detector test, which he assaulted her for refusing to take.

In another violent incident, Clarke kicked a hospital nurse in the head 'like a football' while she was suffering from COVID.

After separating from her and returning to the family home, she discovered a tiny camera concealed within the standby light of her Sky TV box.

Clarke was convicted on charges related to assaulting the girl and inflicting unnecessary suffering on a child.

Judge Tony Kelly sentenced Clarke, ordering him to be tagged for six months, placed under supervision for two years, and required to complete the community service order.