An 82-year-old teacher, David James Clarke, has been convicted of sexually assaulting more than a dozen boys at Newlands Preparatory School between 1978 and 1989. Clarke, a former religious education teacher, committed over 40 instances of child sexual abuse while working at the private school in east Sussex. The abuse predominantly occurred in a dark room designated for developing photographs.
During a trial at Brighton Crown Court, it was revealed that Clarke took 14 children to the dark room as part of a club he organized, where he would isolate them and progress from hugging them to more severe acts of abuse. His crimes came to light when police found indecent images on his computer, leading to charges of indecent assault, indecent assault of a child, buggery, and making indecent photographs of children.
Following the trial, Clarke was found guilty on multiple counts of indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, and buggery, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence. The school where the abuse occurred closed in 2014.
Prosecutor Claire Brinton emphasized that Clarke preyed on vulnerable children, exploiting his position of authority for his own gratification. She urged other victims to come forward and seek justice, reassuring them that support is available. Investigator Nicky Beard commended the bravery of the victims for speaking out and encouraged any other potential victims to report their experiences for support and justice.
