DARREN CLARKE FROM BARROW AND CARLISLE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CRIMES
In a case that has shocked the communities of Barrow and Carlisle, Darren Clarke, a 38-year-old man with ties to both locations, has been convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving two young girls.The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court, where the severity of Clarke's actions was laid bare through detailed testimonies and evidence presented during the trial.
Clarke, who was residing on Chatsworth Street in Carlisle at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of a seven-year campaign of physical and sexual abuse directed at two vulnerable girls.
The court heard that over this extended period, Clarke subjected the girls to a disturbing array of indignities, both physical and psychological.
Judge James Adkin described Clarke as a dangerous offender, emphasizing the gravity of his misconduct and the manipulative manner in which he treated his victims.
During the proceedings, Judge Adkin detailed some of the most disturbing acts committed by Clarke.
He was convicted of using violence and humiliation, including a particularly grotesque incident where he smeared excrement under the noses of the girls during what was called 'The Hitler Game.' The court also revealed that Clarke forced the girls to watch pornography for his own amusement, a tactic that appeared aimed at grooming them for future sexual abuse.
Additional acts of cruelty included breaking wind in their faces and further smearing excrement on their clothing, all of which contributed to the court's assessment of Clarke's dangerousness.
One of the most troubling aspects of the case was Clarke's obsessive control over the older girl.
He imposed strict restrictions on her, forbidding her from wearing makeup and banning her from having boyfriends, all in an effort to dominate and manipulate her.
When Clarke was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, authorities discovered two indecent images of the older girl on his devices.
One of these images superimposed her face onto a pornographic model, highlighting the extent of his disturbing fixation.
It was also revealed that Clarke had a prior conviction for possession of indecent images, further underscoring his pattern of offending.
The younger girl, whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, was so traumatized by Clarke’s abuse that she resorted to dressing as a boy in an attempt to avoid his sexual advances.
Her suffering was evident, and Judge Adkin acknowledged that she had lost her childhood and was left with deep-seated psychological issues as a result of Clarke’s actions.
In sentencing, Judge Adkin imposed an extended prison term of 14 years, with an additional four years on licence, reflecting the court’s view of Clarke as a significant danger to the public.
The judge emphasized that Clarke’s conduct warranted such a severe penalty, and he was formally labeled a dangerous offender.
Following the sentencing, the victim’s aunt expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “He got what he deserved.
I couldn’t be happier with the sentence.
It says everything that he wouldn’t come to court to face it.” Earlier in May 2017, Clarke had already been convicted of similar offenses.
During that trial, he admitted to being “stupid and daft,” but denied any violent or sexual misconduct.
The jury found him guilty of 18 counts of sexual assault, cruelty, and inciting the girls to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard that Clarke had forced the girls to watch pornography, exposed himself to them, and engaged in sexual acts with them on multiple occasions.
He also played cruel pranks, such as pushing one girl to the ground during an argument over a mobile phone and throwing a phone across the room in anger, striking the other girl.
At the time of these offenses, Clarke was under the influence of alcohol—consuming up to eight cans of lager daily—along with smoking cannabis and taking Valium.
Despite his claims that these substances contributed to his behavior, he maintained that he was never violent or sexual towards the girls.
The court also learned that Clarke had previously received a caution for possession of indecent images and was registered as a sex offender.
However, in 2014, when he was arrested at a house in Barrow, he was found to be in breach of his notification requirements, having started staying overnight with a woman and her child.
Clarke claimed ignorance of the legal obligation to inform authorities about his address changes, but police discovered indecent images of one of the girls on his phone—images that had been altered from Facebook photographs.
Following the verdicts, Clarke was remanded into custody, and a pre-sentence report was ordered.
He is expected to remain in prison until his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 16, where the court will determine the final penalty for his appalling crimes.
