William and Sonia Clark sentenced for horrific child abuse and cruelty

A former lorry driver and Boscombe fish shop worker named William Clark has been sentenced to 27 years in prison after being convicted of a horrifying series of crimes. The Crown Court judge described Clark as a "violent bully" who took pleasure in physically assaulting others, and he was found guilty of five incidents of child rape, four charges of cruelty towards minors, and one assault following a two-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. During the sentencing, Judge Stephen Climie stated that "the sentence I pass will inevitably result in you spending much, if not all, of your life in prison." Clark, aged 67, appeared in court and muttered under his breath as the sentence was handed down. His wife, Sonia Clark, aged 73 of the same address, was also convicted and received a 14-month jail sentence after being found guilty of two cruelty charges against a minor. The court heard how William Clark, a grandfather, degraded and humiliated his young victims during a reign of terror in the 1970s and 1980s. The sentencing hearing included moving victim impact statements. The judge noted that Clark planned his crimes with a significant degree of premeditation and made it clear there was little mitigation for his actions, aside from his age. Sonia Clark, a housewife, was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma and is currently in remission, but also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. The court was told that the couple used to operate a wet fish shop in Boscombe called Greenslades. Detective Constable Carole Darkin of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team commended the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation. She expressed hope that the prison sentences would help the victims move forward, knowing the offenders are behind bars. Dorset Police's Child Abuse Investigation Team continues to investigate child abuse cases, including sexual abuse, and works with social services, health, and education providers to ensure victim support. The article encourages those affected by sexual violence to seek help from various organizations, including Dorset Rape Crisis and The Shores, and offers advice about behavior correction for perpetrators through the Respect helpline.