Locations
Hollins Drive, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16
Description
A rapist destroyed the childhoods of his victims by subjecting them to years of emotional abuse and sexual attacks.
Jason Clarke repeatedly targeted the vulnerable youngsters, grooming, exploiting and abusing them. In one horrific case he raped a child who was on a bike ride through woodland.
On Monday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Clarke had spent years manipulating three victims. He made them perform sex acts, subjected them to abuse and, in some cases, raped them.
The sex attacks, which took place across different properties in Merseyside, were only stopped when one of his victims gathered the courage to speak out. Years later his crimes were reported to police and he was arrested and charged with two dozen offences, ultimately leading to his conviction.
Clarke was today branded a monster as powerful statements written by his victims were read out in court by Arthur Gibson, prosecuting.They spoke of the anger and humiliation his treatment - physically and psychologically - had caused them, leaving them feeling alone, broken and depressed.
In one harrowing statement, one of his victims said: There is no amount of time in prison that monster Jason Clarke can do that will ever feel like justice has been served because I will have to live with these demons for the rest of my life.
Each spoke of the pain they had suffered by Clarke denying wrongdoing and forcing them to endure a trial, though they said his convictions offered them some closure.
Following that trial, jurors found the 48-year-old guilty of 24 counts of sexual abuse, including multiple rapes.
Sarah Holt, defending, said she could offer no mitigation for her clients crimes. Referring to his personal circumstances, Ms Holt said: He was brought up in care from a young age. The reality is there was, perhaps, very little care that was given to him.
His education was interrupted, limited and did not address the learning difficulties he has. As a teenager he was sexually abused himself by others in what could be described as the most depraved way.
Passing sentence this morning, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said Clarkes dreadful crimes left a trail of devastation.
He added: These are offences for which you have shown - and continue to show - not a jot of remorse.
Judge Goldstone accepted Clarke may have had a deprived childhood but, referring to the claims he was a victim of abuse, concluded: In those circumstances no-one knew better than you the sort of impact that your offending could have.
He sentenced Clarke to 24 years in jail, of which he must serve at least 16 before being considered for release, and made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order. Clarke, most recently of Hollins Drive in Stafford, will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life.