ANTHONY CLARK FROM SWINDON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS AT SLEEPOVERS

In March 2009, a man from Swindon was sentenced to prison for heinous sexual offenses involving two young girls during sleepovers. Anthony Clark, who resides on Cranmore Avenue in the Park South area of Swindon, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the abuse of minors. The court heard that Clark, aged 20 at the time, had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl during gatherings at a friend’s house in August of the previous year.

According to the proceedings at Swindon Crown Court, the two girls, who were friends, had encountered Clark at various sleepovers. During these occasions, there was a discussion among the girls about their romantic interests, which seemed to be a casual conversation among teenagers. It was during these sleepovers that Clark’s misconduct began to surface. The court was informed that Clark invited the girls into a group hug, during which he began to rub the leg of the 12-year-old girl while cuddling her. This act was part of a pattern of inappropriate behavior that was detailed during the trial.

Further disturbing evidence revealed that Clark had written a note to the 12-year-old girl expressing his romantic interest, stating that he fancied her. When she questioned him about his feelings, he responded with, “because you are pretty.” He then took steps to conceal this note by discarding it in the bin and instructed her not to disclose what had transpired. Throughout the sleepovers, Clark made the 12-year-old touch him inappropriately, and he also engaged in similar inappropriate touching of her. The court also heard that he touched the 14-year-old girl inappropriately during these encounters.

Prosecutor Lynne Matthews stated that when Clark was arrested, he initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming, “I just cuddled them when they were upset.” She emphasized that Clark believed his actions were acts of kindness and friendliness, but it was evident that he was aware of the girls’ ages. The court was told that Clark guessed the 14-year-old was around 15 years old, which was inaccurate.

Defense lawyer Adam Gadd argued that the crimes were opportunistic rather than premeditated, committed over a short period. He highlighted Clark’s young age and significant cognitive difficulties, including a lack of understanding of consequences and an inability to grasp other people’s perspectives. Gadd also pointed out Clark’s troubled background, including limited education and family issues, which may have contributed to his poor understanding of boundaries. Additionally, he mentioned the recent death of Clark’s pregnant girlfriend in a car crash and Clark’s prior struggles with alcohol addiction as factors influencing his behavior.

Judge Douglas Field, presiding over the case, acknowledged Clark’s previously good character and youth but emphasized the seriousness of the grooming involved. The judge expressed concern about the lasting impact on the victims, stating, “I have to take into account the obvious impact this had had on these young victims. Who knows how long this will stay with them.”

Anthony Clark was sentenced to three years and three months in prison for the offenses against the 12-year-old girl. Additionally, he received a concurrent sentence of three years and three months for the abuse of the 14-year-old girl. For the counts involving the 14-year-old, Clark was also sentenced to 12 months and 18 months in prison, respectively, to run concurrently. The court disqualified him from working with children indefinitely, placed him on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period, and issued a 20-year sexual offences prevention order to restrict his future conduct.