GORDON CLARK OF LANCASTER AND ULVERSTON: SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Lancaster and Ulverston, Gordon Clark, the former verger of Lancaster Priory, is at the center of a legal battle initiated by one of his long-term victims. The victim, a 33-year-old man now working as a manual laborer and residing within the county, is preparing to sue Lancashire County Council for damages related to the traumatic experiences he endured over 17 years ago.

According to reports, the man was subjected to sexual abuse by Clark during his time as a student at Stonecross School, a now-closed boarding institution located in Ulverston, Cumbria. The abuse left deep psychological scars, and the victim claims that the trauma has significantly impacted his mental health, leaving him on the brink of a nervous breakdown. His allegations highlight the lasting effects of childhood abuse and the importance of accountability.

Gordon Clark's criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling. In 1980, he was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on six counts of indecency involving boys at Stonecross School. The school’s closure followed the revelations of his misconduct. Despite serving his sentence, Clark’s predatory behavior did not cease. In April 1996, after being appointed as verger at Lancaster Priory—a position that brought him into the community and even led to appearances on the BBC’s "Songs of Praise"—Clark was again found guilty of abusing a young boy in the Furness area.

At Preston Crown Court, a jury convicted Clark of three counts of indecent assault on a minor, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. At the time of this second conviction, Clark was in his fifties, residing on Lune Street in Lancaster, and was married with two adult children. His reoffending after his initial imprisonment raised serious questions about the vetting and oversight processes that allowed him to re-enter and remain in the community.

Prior to his second trial, Clark had pleaded guilty to six additional sexual offenses committed during the 1970s, including incidents involving children while he was employed as a social worker. One of these offenses was linked to his time at Stonecross School. The Church of England issued a statement indicating they were unaware of Clark’s previous convictions when he was appointed as verger at Lancaster Priory, a position that placed him in a trusted community role.

Meanwhile, representatives from Lancashire County Council have refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings, citing the need for confidentiality and the sensitivity of the case. The revelations about Clark’s past and present actions continue to evoke outrage and concern among residents of Lancaster and Ulverston, as questions about safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable children remain at the forefront of public discourse.