CLIFFORD KIRKHAM SENT BACK TO JAIL IN NORTH SHIELDS AND MIDDLESBROUGH FOR ENDANGERING CHILDREN

In a recent development in the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children, Clifford Kirkham, a known sex offender with ties to Middlesbrough, North Shields, and Wallsend, has been sentenced to additional time behind bars after breaching strict court orders designed to prevent him from having contact with minors.

Back in 2007, Kirkham, then 56 years old, was convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a five-year-old girl. The court heard that he had touched the child and taken indecent photographs of her, actions that led to a four-year prison sentence. Following his conviction, Kirkham was placed on the sex offenders' register and was explicitly banned from working with children for the rest of his life. Furthermore, he was subject to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO), which prohibited him from having any contact with individuals under the age of 18 without appropriate adult supervision, and specifically barred him from any contact with the girl involved in his previous crimes. The order also restricted his use of camera or video equipment, aiming to prevent further exploitation.

Despite these legal restrictions, Kirkham was released from prison in 2009. However, authorities soon discovered that he had violated the terms of his SOPO. In June of this year, police apprehended him at his residence, located on Vine Street in Wallsend, North Tyneside. During the arrest, officers found a collection of camera and video recording devices in his home, raising serious concerns about his compliance with the court's orders.

During the court proceedings, Nicholas Peacock, representing Kirkham, acknowledged the gravity of the breaches. He stated, “Mr. Kirkham fully accepts the breaches are serious. There is work to be done on this man. He needs to be supervised. This man needs some intervention.”

Judge Roger Thorn addressed Kirkham directly, emphasizing the severity of his actions. “You put those children at risk and their parents, who had no knowledge of your past, have every right to feel aggravated that you deliberately endangered them when they trusted you,” the judge remarked. He pointed out that Kirkham was fully aware of the restrictions placed upon him and had knowingly violated them over an extended period, engaging in repeated breaches. The court noted that Kirkham had purchased a tablet computer, which was among the prohibited equipment found in his home, further demonstrating his disregard for the court’s orders.

Judge Thorn sentenced Kirkham to 12 months in prison and ordered him to comply with a new sex offenders' protection order. Additionally, Kirkham was required to pay a victim surcharge of £100. The judge’s decision underscores the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that sex offenders adhere strictly to legal restrictions designed to prevent reoffending.

In a separate but related case from May 2007, Kirkham’s actions had already garnered significant attention. The mother of the young girl involved expressed her relief at the four-year sentence handed down to Kirkham. The court heard that Kirkham had touched and taken photographs of the five-year-old girl, actions that deeply traumatized the child and her family. Prosecutor David Brooke recounted that the girl had told Kirkham not to do certain things, but he had instructed her to remain silent about his misconduct.

Investigators found that Kirkham had stored “sexualised” images of the girl on his computer, further evidencing his predatory behavior. Kirkham, who resided on Diamond Road in Middlesbrough, admitted to four charges of sexual assault. His defense attorney, Colin Harvey, stated that Kirkham had led a largely blameless life until he developed inappropriate thoughts and feelings towards children, for which he took responsibility but could offer no clear explanation.

The mother of the victim expressed her feelings about the sentencing, saying, “It’s brilliant. It can never be enough but I was expecting a lot less.” She reflected on how the ordeal had profoundly changed her family, bringing feelings of anger, resentment, and bitterness, but ultimately strengthening their bond. She also praised her daughter’s resilience, noting, “She’s a strong little girl. She knows as long as she tells the truth, she’ll always be all right. She’s going to have a very bright future.”

Detective Constable Iona Leigh-Jones from the Middlesbrough Child Abuse Investigation Unit commented on the case, stating, “I’m pleased the sentence reflects the seriousness of the case. It is hopefully some comfort to the family.” The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and social services in monitoring and managing convicted sex offenders, especially those with a history of breaching court orders and endangering children in Middlesbrough, North Shields, and Wallsend.