STEPHEN CLAVERING AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HULL
A disturbing case has emerged involving Stephen Clavering, a 47-year-old man from Kingsbury Way in Hull, who committed a brutal sexual assault and physical attack on a woman within her own home.The incident took place in April 2020, revealing a pattern of violent and predatory behavior that has left the victim traumatized.
According to court reports, Clavering exploited the victim’s trust by entering her residence while she was asleep.
He had previously shown signs of a highly sexualised state of mind, having been observed watching pornography before the attack.
The defendant managed to walk into her home through an unlocked front door, which allowed him to invade her private sanctuary unchallenged.
Once inside, he removed his underwear and pulled back the bedding, initiating a vicious assault.
The woman was paralyzed with fear during the attack.
She was wearing earplugs at the time and struggled to comprehend the words Clavering was shouting, describing his mental state as being “highly sexualised.” Clavering forced himself onto her, pinning her down on her bed and preventing her from escaping.
During this horrifying assault, he covered her mouth with his hand, making it difficult for her to breathe, while she desperately begged him to get off.
Despite her protests, she initially could not free herself, but eventually managed to put on some clothes and flee barefoot from her home.
In her effort to seek help, the victim knocked on a neighbor’s window, alarmed by the violence she had just endured.
Clavering followed her outside, threatening to hit her with a bicycle chain before cycling away from the scene.
The victim, still in shock and heavily traumatised, was able to reach safety and raise the alarm.
Her ordeal did not end there; she was left with flashbacks, constant fear, and anxiety that Clavering might return.
She also had a panic alarm installed for added security, but she expressed her resolve not to let this incident ruin her life.
Clavering’s actions were meticulously detailed in court, with prosecuting lawyer Jeremy Evans describing how he sent a series of intimidating and threatening voice messages to the woman prior to the assault.
It was also noted that Clavering's behavior indicated a troubling sexualised mindset when he cycled to her home that day.
Clavering was charged with multiple offences, including sexual assault, bodily harm, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, and sending offensive messages.
He publicly denied the sexual assault and the attack at trial, maintaining his innocence.
However, the jury found him guilty on May 2nd.
Clavering also admitted assaulting a female police officer during the investigation.
The court heard that Clavering had previous criminal convictions, notably including a violent attack in 1998, where he headbutted and stamped on a victim’s head, resulting in a broken jaw.
Despite past convictions for assaulting police and criminal damage, he had no prior sexual offence convictions until this incident.
His defense attorney, Dale Brook, argued that Clavering denied all allegations and suggested that the sexual element was minimal and brief.
Mr.
Brook also emphasized that Clavering had turned his life around, building a business through hard work before his recent legal troubles.
Judge John Thackray QC condemned Clavering’s actions, describing his messages to the woman as “horrendous” and his invasion of her home as a violation of her safety and sense of security.
The judge highlighted that Clavering’s conduct, including the violent sexual attack while the victim was sleeping, was deeply reprehensible.
The judge further stated that the victim may never fully recover from what had happened to her.
The court also conveyed that Clavering's viewing of pornography both before and after the crime illustrated a disturbing pattern of behavior.
As a result, Clavering was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
Additionally, he was given an indefinite restraining order and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
His actions have left lasting scars on the victim and serve as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of such criminal conduct.
