WILLIAM CLAVERY, 61, SENTENCED IN NEWCASTLE FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES AGAINST A CHILD
William Clavery, 61, was sentenced to five years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court for historic sex offences involving a young victim.The court heard that Clavery committed serious sexual offences against a child under 15, which resulted in lasting mental health issues for the victim.
He engaged in grooming behaviour and even tried to persuade the child to have sex with him, the jury was told.
Clavery, who denied the allegations, was found guilty of counts of sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
He appeared before the court again last week (May 2023) for sentencing.
Prosecutor Gavin Doig stated that the offences involved a child under 15 and that Clavery exhibited grooming behaviour.
The victim provided a statement describing the lasting impact of the abuse, stating, "the offences continue to haunt me and I have still not fully healed.
They have destroyed parts of my life." The statement also revealed that Clavery’s actions had led to sleepless nights and nightmares, describing the abuse as "such a traumatic and painful time".
During the hearing, defence solicitor Tony Cornberg noted that Clavery has numerous medical conditions including diabetes, COPD, asthma, and sleep apnoea, and is on eight different medications.
He also mentioned that Clavery was a carer for his elderly mother and had arranged her care.
The court was informed that Clavery, of Riverside Apartments in South Shields, was considered to have demonstrated "effective good character".
Judge Amanda Rippon described the offences as "sinister" and remarked that Clavery’s medical issues would make his prison sentence "very difficult".
Clavery was sentenced to five years and was also subjected to an indefinite restraining order.
Additionally, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and Clavery will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
