STEPHEN CLARK FROM BRENTWOOD AND WICKFORD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER BREACHING CHILD SEX IMAGE ORDER

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing threat posed by convicted sex offenders, Stephen Clark, a 59-year-old resident of Wickford, has once again found himself at the center of legal scrutiny just weeks after his release from prison. Clark, who previously lived in Brentwood, was convicted in May 2011 for possessing and distributing nearly five million images depicting child sexual abuse, a record-breaking seizure in the United Kingdom. Despite serving 13 months of his 30-month sentence, Clark was released in August 2012 under strict conditions, including a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that explicitly prohibited him from using unmonitored internet-enabled computers.

However, less than two weeks after his release, police officers conducted an unannounced visit to Clark’s residence in Wickford on August 15, 2012. During this visit, authorities discovered that Clark had connected a computer to the internet, in direct violation of the court order. The order was designed to prevent him from accessing or sharing illegal material online, and it mandated that any computer he used be monitored by law enforcement. Prosecutors revealed that, although indecent images were found on Clark’s computer, charges related to these images could not be pursued because investigators could not establish the exact time of their download.

Clark’s criminal history is extensive. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of downloading and sharing extreme pornography and child sex images, which led to his 30-month imprisonment. The police investigation uncovered that Clark employed a highly sophisticated computer setup to facilitate his activities, which he claimed he had maintained for two decades as a personal hobby. Clark described his collection as akin to “collecting cigarette cards or snuff boxes,” suggesting a sense of personal ownership and collection rather than malicious intent.

His arrest in September 2009 followed an investigation by German authorities, who identified his computer accessing a website containing child abuse images. When police raided his home, they found three computers actively uploading and downloading illegal content. The analysis of these devices revealed a staggering 4.6 million illegal images stored on his systems. Clark’s method of operation involved using advanced technology to conceal his activities, and he admitted to police that he had been collecting these images for 20 years, describing it as a “hobby” that had become an obsession.

Despite his criminal record, Clark continued to work as a computer systems analyst, charging clients £415 plus VAT per day. During court proceedings, there was a debate over whether his computer should be destroyed. Prosecutor Charles Langley argued that the device contained illegal images and should be confiscated immediately, while Clark’s defense lawyer, Howard Cohen, claimed the computer held important work-related data. Judge John Lodge ultimately sentenced Clark to a six-month prison term, suspended for one year, and ordered him to pay £300 in prosecution costs. The judge also adjourned the decision regarding the computer for 28 days to determine its fate.

In April 2013, Clark’s case resurfaced when he admitted to breaching his SOPO just 13 days after his release. He appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court to acknowledge that he had connected a computer to the internet, despite the restrictions. The breach was considered serious enough to warrant a referral to Crown Court, where Clark was scheduled for sentencing in May. His actions drew widespread condemnation, underscoring the persistent danger posed by individuals with a history of child exploitation crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and controlling such offenders.