October 2012 Man went straight to police after rape bid against 16 yr old girl A 41-year-old man who handed himself in to police after trying to rape a teenage girl has been jailed. Gary Clarke attacked the 16-year-old and then telephoned her relatives, took her to them and delivered himself to Parkside Police Station, Cambridge Crown Court heard. Sara Walker, prosecuting, said Clarke, of Manor Close, Harston, near Cambridge, had grabbed his victim, forced her down on to a sofa and then tried to pull her underwear down. Ms Walker said he put his hand over his victim’s mouth when she started to scream and attempted to push him off with her feet and hands. The court heard that Clarke, who admitted attempted rape, stopped before trying to attack the teenager again. Melanie Benn, in mitigation, said that Clarke could not give a reason for his behaviour and was “deeply remorseful” for the trauma he had caused his victim. She said: “The incident having happened, he went straight to the police and made his admission but cannot provide any explanation as to what had happened. “It was an impulsive offence, out of character, for which he has taken responsibility. “I hope your honour will accept that he has shown a great deal of remorse to the probation officer and to myself.” Judge Gareth Hawkesworth said it was rare in the court’s experience for someone to immediately apologise, take the young person to her relatives, acknowledge his guilt and voluntarily turn himself in to the police. He said: “It seems to me that it’s a sign of your essentially good character and good nature that you were able to do this and you are essentially a decent man who for reasons which escape you acted completely out of character on that day.” Judge Hawkesworth said Clarke’s victim undoubtedly felt traumatised by what had happened. He sentenced to Clarke to three years in prison, less the 90 days he spent on remand, and imposed a sexual offences prevention order. Clarke will also have to sign the sex offenders register.