Former Seaford teacher convicted of non-recent child sex offences

A former teacher at a preparatory school in Seaford has been convicted of non-recent sexual offences against children.

Police launched an investigation into allegations made by former pupils at the preparatory and sixth form of Newlands School, as well as the senior school known as The Manor, in Seaford during the 1970s and 1980s.

Enquiries identified 14 male victims, who all disclosed sexual abuse at the hands of religious education teacher David Clarke.

Much of the offending took place in a dark room used for developing photographs, after being taken to the room by Clarke as part of a photography club he ran.

Clarke, 82, of Main Road in Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, taught at Newlands Preparatory School between 1978 and 1989.

He has arrested and charged with 39 counts of indecent assault, five counts of indecent assault of a child and one count each of buggery of a boy under 16 and making an indecent photograph of a child.

Following a month-long trial at Brighton Crown Court, Clarke was found guilty of all but one count of attempted buggery on Monday (13 April). He has been remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Crown Court on Monday, 1 June.

Investigator Nicky Beard said: “David Clarke’s victims have had to live with the impacts of his appalling crimes, while he likely thought he would escape punishment.

“He has now faced justice, in no small part thanks to the incredible bravery of these 14 men in coming forward and reporting to the police.

“I do not underestimate how difficult this process has been for them, facing trauma they have held since childhood. I hope this outcome provides some measure of closure.

“This outcome shows no matter how long ago offending took place, we will do all we can to hold perpetrators to justice and support victims. If you are a victim of sexual offending, even non-recently, please report it to us online or via 101.”