Overview
- The 82-year-old, David James Clarke, was sentenced on Monday to 26 years after being convicted on 45 counts of child sexual abuse including indecent assault, gross indecency, buggery and making indecent images.
- Prosecutors said the offending took place while he taught at Newlands Preparatory School in Seaford between 1978 and 1989 and targeted 14 boys aged about eight to 14.
- The court heard Clarke used an extracurricular photography club and the school dark room to isolate, groom and sexually abuse pupils, beginning with hugging and bribes and escalating to sexual acts.
- Records disclosed at trial show Clarke had a 1973 conviction for indecent assault and was previously barred from teaching before that ban was revoked in 1977, raising questions about past vetting and oversight.
- Three victims read impact statements describing lifelong harm and Sussex Police said investigations may continue, urging anyone affected by his conduct to report it to give police the chance to identify further victims.