JOHN CLARKE OF OLDHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY IN FITTON HILL

In a case that has shocked the community of Oldham, John Clarke, a 49-year-old resident of Dowry Street, Fitton Hill, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of disturbing crimes involving both sexual abuse and animal cruelty. The Manchester Crown Court heard harrowing details of Clarke’s actions, which spanned over several years and involved vulnerable young girls as well as a notorious case of animal neglect.

Clarke was found guilty of ten counts of engaging in sexual activity with minors. The court was told that he had targeted two underage girls, grooming them with gifts and money to exploit their innocence. One of these victims was only 13 years old when Clarke began his manipulative behavior around 2009. She later described her feelings towards him as conflicted, stating she loved and hated him simultaneously. Her relationship with Clarke lasted approximately three years, during which he took advantage of her vulnerability.

The second girl, aged 15 at the time, was subjected to Clarke’s offenses between 2004 and 2005. Although Clarke did not use physical force in either case, Judge Andrew Lowcock emphasized that he exploited their fragile situations for his own sexual gratification. The judge remarked that Clarke’s actions caused incalculable damage to the victims’ lives and noted that he had shown no remorse for his conduct.

During sentencing, Judge Lowcock considered whether Clarke posed a significant risk to the public and whether he should be classified as a dangerous offender. Ultimately, the evidence did not support such a classification, but the severity of the crimes was clear.

Adding to Clarke’s troubling history, he had previously been convicted in 2009 for animal cruelty. He was sentenced to three months in prison after authorities uncovered a disturbing scene at his semi-detached house. Animal welfare officers found that Clarke had kept over a thousand animals in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The property was described as a ‘zoo’ due to the sheer number and variety of creatures housed there, including four boa constrictors, seven geckos, a water dragon, dogs, parrots, chickens, tortoises, and a rat.

The conditions in the house were appalling. The dogs’ pen was overcrowded and filled with faeces, with no dry areas or clean water available. Fungal growth was observed in a tank housing a snake, and the rat was confined in a small plastic box, sitting in its own urine and faeces. The bedrooms contained hundreds of exotic species, from lizards to frogs, highlighting the extent of Clarke’s neglect and disregard for animal welfare.

Clarke’s case has left a lasting impact on the community of Oldham, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals and animals alike. His sentencing reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing need for vigilance against such disturbing conduct.