Nuneaton man sentenced to more than five years in prison for child sexual offences

Following an investigation by Warwickshire Police, a man from Nuneaton has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to child sexual offences committed online.

Andrew Clarke, aged 53, of Kingwood Road, Nuneaton, was sentenced yesterday (Monday, 27 November) at Warwick Crown Court, Clarke was sentenced to five years and four months for the following:

•    One charge of attempt to cause a child under 13 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity - (three years to run concurrently)
•    One charge of attempt to meet a girl under 16 following grooming - (three years to run concurrently)
•    One charge of attempt to cause/incite girl 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity
•    One charge of attempt to cause/incite girl 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity  (three years to run concurrently)
•    One charge of distributing indecent images of children - (three years to run concurrently)
•    One charge of possession of indecent images of children - (two years to run concurrently)
•    One charge of possession of indecent images of children - (18 months to run concurrently)
•    One charge of possession of indecent images of children
•    One charge of attempting to incite a girl 13-15 years to engage in sexual activity was allowed to lie on file.

Clarke was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Clarke was arrested by police officers from Operation Safenet, a policing operation targeting suspected paedophiles operating online.

Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: "We understand that cases like this cause real concern within the communities we serve. I encourage anyone who has concerns that a child might be a victim of sexual exploitation or abuse to contact us. Specialist officers, working together in partnership with support agencies across our region, are here to listen, to investigate and to bring perpetrators of these crimes before the courts."

To report a crime like this, phone the police non-emergency number 101 (always call 999 in an emergency though). If you'd like to give information anonymously - without leaving your name or identifying details - you can do so by phoning the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers also has an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a registered child protection charity dedicated to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. It works with entire families affected by sexual abuse, including adult male and female sexual abusers, young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours, victims of abuse and other family members. More information for adults concerned about their own behaviour, or that of someone they know, is available at www.stopitnow.org.uk