KEVIN CLEMENT FROM DUSTON AND OLDBROOK SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the Northampton community, Kevin Clement, a 47-year-old man formerly residing in The Oval, Oldbrook, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of six years. The crimes took place primarily in Duston, Northampton, where Clement subjected three young girls to a disturbing pattern of systematic sexual abuse from late 1999 until mid-2005.

Despite his vehement denial of the charges, Clement was convicted after a rigorous six-day trial at Northampton Crown Court in May. The jury found him guilty of a total of 31 sexual assaults and rapes, including 12 counts of indecent assault, 10 counts of gross indecency, seven counts of rape, as well as charges of sexual activity with a child and inciting a child into sexual activity. The victims ranged in age, with one as young as nine years old at the time of the abuse.

Prosecutor Clive Sutton described the nature of Clement’s crimes, emphasizing that the abuse was carried out in a systematic manner over several years. He explained, “Over a number of years, he systematically sexually abused these children, weekly and fortnightly. It was not a case of physical force but more a case of, given their young ages, clear pressure, domination over them and that they did not understand what was happening.”

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Charles Wide QC acknowledged the severity of Clement’s actions. He stated, “The human misery you caused by your actions can barely be described. The disastrous impact your wickedness has had on these young girls as they were growing up is almost incalculable.” The judge further noted that Clement’s crimes were of the highest seriousness but decided against a life sentence, considering the circumstances.

Judge Wide QC added, “You systematically abused these children, because that’s what they were to start with, and abused the trust they ought to have been able to rely on.” He described Clement as “an exceptionally dangerous and manipulative” offender, highlighting the profound harm inflicted upon the victims.

Throughout the trial, Clement maintained that the girls, who all provided evidence against him, were lying to get him into trouble for various reasons. The victims recounted how Clement would single each one out for sexual abuse and rapes, further illustrating the predatory nature of his crimes. The case has left a lasting scar on the Northampton community, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such wickedness.