PATRICK CLARKE'S LEEDS CRIMINAL REIGN: SEX OFFENDER'S SHOCKING SURGE IN LEEDS
In April 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Patrick Clarke, a known sex offender with a long history of predatory behavior in Leeds.The incident that brought his latest misconduct to public attention involved Clarke using his mobile phone to secretly film underneath a female customer's skirt at a Holland and Barrett store located in Leeds.
This act of voyeurism occurred while Clarke was in the store ostensibly to purchase pills, but it was his illicit use of technology that led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
The revelation of Clarke’s misconduct was made possible when police officers, conducting routine checks, visited his residence on November 10 of the previous year to verify his compliance with a strict sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
This order, issued for his past offenses, explicitly prohibited him from owning any mobile device capable of recording video.
During the police visit, Clarke initially claimed that he did not possess a phone, which was a breach of the order.
However, he later admitted ownership of the device, stating that he had purchased it at the Merrion Centre in Leeds.
Upon examining the phone, officers discovered a disturbing video featuring an unidentified woman shopping in a store.
The footage clearly showed Clarke had used the device to film underneath her skirt, with her underwear visible in the recording.
Clarke himself was identifiable in the video, confirming his involvement.
When questioned, Clarke admitted that he had made the recording inside the Holland and Barrett store during his visit to buy pills.
This revelation added to the gravity of his offenses, which included not only voyeurism but also breaches of his SHPO.
Further criminal behavior was uncovered on January 28 of the same year, when Clarke committed an act of sexual exposure on Moorland Road in Hyde Park.
During this incident, he approached a group of women, smiling at them as he exposed himself.
This behavior demonstrated a pattern of predatory conduct and a blatant disregard for public decency.
Clarke, residing on Morrit Drive in Halton, Leeds, pleaded guilty to charges of voyeurism, sexual exposure, and three violations of his SHPO.
His past criminal record is extensive.
In 2019, Clarke was previously imprisoned after approaching two women in Leeds city center from behind and sexually assaulting them.
In one attack, the victim turned around to find Clarke smiling at her before he grabbed her between the legs and then walked away, leaving her in shock.
The second victim, a 23-year-old woman walking to university across Woodhouse Moor, was targeted approximately two hours later when Clarke approached her and pinched her bottom.
During sentencing, Joseph Hudson, representing Clarke, acknowledged his client’s struggles with controlling his sexual urges.
He explained that Clarke was attempting to come off medication intended to manage these urges but had learned that discontinuing the medication caused more harm than good.
Despite this, the court, presided over by Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC, emphasized the seriousness of Clarke’s repeated offenses.
The judge highlighted that Clarke’s actions demonstrated a persistent pattern of sexual misconduct, warranting significant punishment.
Clarke was sentenced to 20 months in prison for his latest offenses.
The court’s decision underscored the danger posed by individuals like Clarke, who have a history of offending and continue to commit acts that threaten public safety and personal dignity in Leeds.
