TIMOTHY CLARK FROM DUNSTER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WEST SOMERSET

In a distressing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of West Somerset, Timothy Clark, a 21-year-old man from Higher Marsh Farm in Dunster, has been convicted of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The incident has prompted a stern warning from the victim's mother, who expressed her deep concern and urged other parents to remain vigilant in protecting their children.

Clark appeared before Taunton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 24, where he pleaded guilty to charges of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case, including how Clark used text messaging as a means to groom his young victim. According to court reports, Clark engaged in inappropriate communication with the girl, sending her messages such as, “I wish I could cuddle up with you tonight,” which indicated a troubling level of familiarity and intent.

Following the exchange of texts, Clark lured the girl to a secluded wooded area, where he proceeded to kiss, cuddle, and sexually touch her. The court heard that these actions were part of a pattern of grooming behavior, which culminated in the assault. The victim’s mother, speaking to the County Gazette, expressed her anguish and concern for her daughter’s mental well-being. She stated, “Goodness knows what my daughter is going through in her mind now and what it will do to her later in life. I would warn parents to be extra vigilant – you are not always aware of texts and social networking – and though I was as vigilant as I could be, his persistence caused this to happen.”

Prosecutor Nigel Wraith highlighted the disturbing nature of Clark’s communication, revealing that he had sent the girl a text message saying, “I wish I could cuddle up with you tonight,” which added to the evidence of grooming. Clark’s defense attorney, Mark Worsley, acknowledged the inappropriateness of the texts but emphasized that they did not explicitly mention sexual acts. Worsley argued that the concern lay in the context and the age difference, stating, “The romantic texts are wholly inappropriate but they contained nothing about sexual acts – it was not the language of the texts but the context that was worrying because of the age discrepancy. He does recognize the inappropriateness of what he was doing. He has now lost his good name in the community.”

Judge Erik Salomonsen delivered the sentence, which included a five-year sexual offences prevention order, a three-year community order with supervision, and a requirement for Clark to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years. Additionally, Clark was ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,200 and was banned from having any contact with girls under 16, whether in person or online. He was also prohibited from possessing any photographs of girls under 16.

The judge emphasized the severity of Clark’s actions, stating, “The facts of what happened are not the full story – it was also the events which occurred up to that day. Your texts isolated her and estranged her from her family and her mother. You have a raised sexual fixation for pre-pubescent girls which poses an immediate risk of serious harm and it is in the public interest that you receive treatment for that.”

This case underscores the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians in safeguarding children from grooming and exploitation, especially in an era where digital communication can be used to facilitate such crimes.