THOMAS CLARK FROM WORCESTER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR MASKED SEX ATTACKS IN WORCESTER CITY CENTRE
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Worcester, Thomas Clark, a 21-year-old man from Barbourne Road, was sentenced to a total of five years in prison for a series of terrifying sexual assaults carried out in the heart of Worcester city centre.The court heard how Clark, who was masked during the attacks, targeted lone women, instilling fear and panic among his victims.
Clark’s sentencing followed his admission to two serious charges of kidnapping with the intent to commit a sexual act.
The judge, Mr.
Justice Cavell, ordered that Clark serve a minimum of two and a half years, deducting 138 days he had already spent in custody.
However, Clark will remain behind bars until the parole board determines he is no longer a threat to the public.
During the sentencing hearing, Clark bowed his head and appeared visibly distressed, while members of the public gallery were seen crying, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.
The first victim, a 24-year-old woman, was waiting for a bus at approximately 5:30 a.m.
on April 24 on Barbourne Road.
She was listening to music through her earphones when Clark suddenly grabbed her by the throat and dragged her approximately ten meters into nearby bushes in Gheluvelt Park.
Despite her struggle and screams, Clark was only briefly disturbed by a passing car, which prevented him from continuing his assault.
The second attack occurred on May 6 at around 4:25 a.m., when Clark targeted a 44-year-old woman walking along Sansome Walk, returning home from a nightclub.
He again grabbed her by the throat and dragged her into bushes near the Baptist church.
During this assault, he groped her, and she pleaded with him to leave her alone, explaining that she had children waiting at home.
Her ordeal ended when she was “spooked” by a passing vehicle, prompting her to escape and flag down a taxi for safety.
Further unsettling developments took place on May 21, when a woman walking along Chestnut Street reported being followed home by a man dressed in black.
Clark was arrested three days later, on May 24, in connection with these incidents.
Prosecutor Glyn Daniel described Clark’s appearance during the attacks, noting that he was dressed in black and covered his face with a woollen sleeve to conceal his identity.
The court also heard that Clark’s only previous sexual offence involved pulling down a fellow pupil’s trousers in front of classmates at school, indicating a troubling pattern of behaviour.
During the proceedings, Clark’s defense lawyer, Abigail Nixon, acknowledged that Clark had been assessed by the probation service as being at high risk of re-offending, raising concerns about his potential danger to the community.
Judge Cavell emphasized the “chilling” nature of the offences, describing how they were carried out in a carefully calculated manner that left the victims petrified.
Recognizing the seriousness of the crimes and the threat Clark posed, the judge declared him a dangerous offender and imposed a sentence designed to protect the public.
As part of his sentence, Clark will also be required to sign the sex offender register for life, underscoring the long-term implications of his actions in Worcester.
