Abuse lawyer speaks out amid fears jailed Solihull teaching assistant Daniel Clarke may have abused more than 80 children with special educational needs

Clarke has been jailed for seven years and six months, after pleading guilty to sexual offences against six vulnerable children. However, an investigation is now under way by West Midlands Police, which believe he could be one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent times. 

Solihull teaching assistant Clarke's crimes

At a hearing in February this year, Clarke pleaded guilty to offences including making indecent photographs of a child, assaulting children, and inciting children to engage in sexual activity. The prosecuting barrister said the perpetrator had worked as a teaching assistant at a school in Solihull and, separately, as a personal assistant to several children. 

The court was told that as part of his personal assistant role, Clarke would take children out for day trips and record them in public toilets.

Officers were later said to have recovered a large number of devices from Clarke’s address, including phones, laptops, "spy cameras", internal CCTV-type equipment and storage devices.

It’s reported that many of the details shared during a two-day sentencing hearing are too graphic to publish.

Abuse survivors will now need specialist support

As the sentencing judge, Judge Michael Chambers KC, pointed out people who have special educational needs are vulnerable and require protection.

Parents and loved ones place a great deal of trust in schools and teaching staff to ensure the safety of pupils, and what Clarke's survivors have had to endure is a gross breach of trust. 

Through my work on behalf of individuals who have experienced abuse, I understand the huge physical and psychological toll that such abuse can have. While Clarke is behind bars the impact of his actions will continue to live with those families affected. 

A civil claim for damages can give survivors and families access to the treatment and rehabilitation they may require as they try and overcome what happened to them the best they can. 

While the conviction of Clarke is a significant step towards justice it’s vital that the police and CPS work as quickly as possible to identify any further victims, and to bring Clarke to justice as soon as possible in respect of all abuse committed.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families and children affected by abuse in schools at our dedicated school child abuse claims section. More information on how we can support survivors of Clarke's abuse can also be found at our dedicated Daniel Clarke abuse claims section. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2qyq00wq9o