SIMON CLANCY: WARWICK AND WORCESTER PAEDOPHILE BABYSITTER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS

In a harrowing case that has shocked the communities of Worcester and Warwick, Simon Clancy, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against children, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of vile and depraved assaults on young boys. The crimes, committed primarily in Worcester during the early 1990s, have left a lasting scar on the victims and their families, who have expressed both relief and a sense of justice finally being served.

Clancy, now 45 years old, appeared via videolink from prison during the sentencing hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday. Described by the victims’ families as a ‘monster,’ Clancy’s actions included indecent assaults on three boys, one of whom was just a toddler in nappies at the time of the abuse. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Clancy had declared “this is the best thing ever” at one point during the abuse, after his dummy fell out, as he assaulted one of his young victims.

The mother of two of the victims, who are now adults, stood in open court to thank Judge Nicholas Cole for his decision to imprison Clancy. She spoke emotionally about her pride in her sons’ bravery in facing their abuser and expressed her relief that justice had been served. She said, “It is a huge relief for us all that Judge Cole saw through Clancy’s lies and sentenced accordingly. I wasn’t sure which way the sentencing was going to go but some justice has been done so my family can start to heal.” She also reflected on her own feelings of guilt for trusting Clancy to look after her children, unaware of his true nature at the time.

It was only years later that she discovered the extent of Clancy’s betrayal, as her sons and a close friend secretly endured the trauma of his abuse. The court declared Clancy a dangerous offender, imposing an extended license period of five years and requiring him to register as a sex offender indefinitely. Additionally, a breach of a sexual harm prevention order will be recorded on his file.

Clancy’s criminal record is extensive, with convictions for abusing six children in Worcester, including a particularly disturbing case involving a four-year-old boy who bit Clancy’s genitals during an assault. The youngest victim, still in nappies and using a dummy, was the first to come forward, reporting the abuse to police on October 12, 2018. His older brother and a third victim also provided accounts shortly thereafter. Clancy had previously pleaded guilty to indecent assault against a male under 14 in 1993 and to sexual assaults against two girls in 1994. His history of breaching court orders is also notable, with eleven violations of a sexual offences prevention order over the years.

During the trial, the jury convicted Clancy of seven indecent assaults and two counts of indecency with a child, following a swift deliberation of just over an hour. Some of the offenses, if committed today, would be classified as child rape under current legislation. Clancy showed no visible emotion as the verdict was read, attempting to conceal his face outside court with a clipboard and a bag.

The youngest victim, who was only four years old at the time, recounted how he bit Clancy’s genitals during the assault, an act of resistance that left Clancy screaming and striking him. The other two victims, aged around seven and eight during the incidents, testified about the abuse that took place between January and November 1992. Prosecutor Matthew Barnes highlighted that, under today’s laws, some of these offenses would carry significantly harsher sentences, with a starting point in double digits.

Judge Nicholas Cole, after hearing the evidence, refused bail and remanded Clancy into custody, emphasizing that custody was inevitable. The judge ordered a pre-sentence report and awaited additional victim impact statements before finalizing the sentence.

Clancy’s history of breaching court orders continued into recent years. In October 2018, he was found guilty of attempting to groom a 14-year-old boy by giving him ‘sinister’ gifts, including chocolates, accessories for his bike, and offering to teach him exercises. Clancy also asked the boy to mow his lawn and visit his home, actions that violated a sexual harm prevention order in place since 2004. Despite multiple breaches, including working at Warwick Racecourse during family events in 2014—despite being prohibited from such contact—Clancy’s actions demonstrated a persistent pattern of disobedience and predatory behavior.

His previous convictions include indecent assault on a 14-year-old boy in 1983 and assaults on two schoolgirls in 1995. In 2005, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which he repeatedly breached over the years. His breaches included attending events with children, taking photographs of minors, and working in environments where children were present, such as at Warwick Racecourse and during various community activities. These violations underscored his ongoing risk to children and the failure of previous court orders to prevent his access to vulnerable youngsters.

In sentencing, Judge Cole emphasized the seriousness of Clancy’s breaches and his apparent interest in young boys, describing his conduct as ‘sinister’ and in direct violation of court-imposed restrictions. The judge noted that Clancy’s actions had caused significant distress to victims and their families, and that his history of disobedience and previous convictions warranted a lengthy custodial sentence. The new order imposed upon Clancy restricts his contact with any child under 18 unless approved by his police offender manager and social services, and prohibits him from photographing or recording minors unless for legitimate broadcast or television purposes.

Overall, the case of Simon Clancy highlights a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior spanning decades, with multiple breaches of legal restrictions designed to protect children. His latest conviction and lengthy imprisonment mark a significant step in safeguarding the community and delivering justice for his victims, who have endured unimaginable trauma at his hands.