WILLIAM AND SONIA CLARK SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN BOSCOMBE

In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Boscombe, William Clark, a 67-year-old former lorry driver and fish shop worker, was sentenced to an extensive 27 years in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous child abuse offences. The conviction followed a detailed two-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, where the court heard evidence of multiple grave crimes committed by Clark during the 1970s and 1980s.

Judge Stephen Climie described William Clark as a “violent bully” who took pleasure in inflicting physical assaults and degrading his victims. The judge emphasized that the severity of Clark’s crimes would likely result in him spending the majority, if not all, of his life behind bars. During the sentencing, Clark appeared in the dock, visibly affected by the proceedings, stumbling and muttering under his breath as the sentence was handed down.

Clark was found guilty of five counts of multi-incident child rape, four charges of cruelty to a person under the age of 16, and one additional count of cruelty that led to an assault. The court heard harrowing details of how Clark, who was a grandfather, subjected his victims to humiliation and degradation, creating what Judge Climie described as “a reign of terror” over his victims during the years he committed these crimes.

In addition to William Clark’s sentence, his wife, Sonia Clark, aged 73 and residing at the same address in Boscombe, was also convicted. She received a 14-month jail term after being found guilty of two offences of cruelty to a person under the age of 16. The court was presented with victim impact statements that painted a disturbing picture of the suffering endured by those affected.

The judge highlighted that a significant amount of planning went into William Clark’s offences, and noted that there was little mitigation for his actions, aside from his advanced age. The court also heard that the couple previously worked together at Greenslades, a wet fish shop located in Boscombe, which added a further layer of context to the case. The sentencing underscores the gravity of the crimes committed and the lasting impact on the victims, leaving a stark reminder of the dark history that has now been brought to light in the seaside town.