Man Jailed For Two Worcester Sexual Assaults

Thomas ClarkeA man was sentenced yesterday to an indeterminate term in prison to protect the public for committing to two serious sexual assaults that occurred earlier this year in Worcester. He will not be released until he is no longer thought to pose a risk.

At a hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Monday 20 August, Thomas James Clark, aged 21, of Barbourne Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to charges of kidnap and sexual assault.

At 5.30am on Tuesday 24 April 2012, a woman was on her way to work and was waiting at the bus stop on Barbourne Road near Gheluvelt Park. Clark walked passed her twice before grabbing her around the neck from behind and dragging her several yards towards Barbourne Lane. A car passed at this point and he let her go and ran into Gheluvelt Park.

He pleaded guilty to kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence in relation to the assault.

At around 4.25am on Sunday 6 May, Clark approached from behind a woman who was walking along Sansome Walk. Again he put his arm around her neck and pulled her to the ground just inside the confines of Worcester Baptist Church. He sexually assaulted her before walking away.

Clark pleaded guilty to charges of kidnap and sexual assault for this second offence.

Yesterday at Worcester Crown Court, His Honour Judge John Cavell sentenced Clark to serve an indeterminate public protection sentence. Clark must serve a minimum of two and half years before he can be considered for release, but he will remain in prison for as long as he is assessed as posing a risk to the public.

Detective Inspector Jon Wallis of Worcester CID said: "Clark clearly was a risk to the public, which was evident from the outset of this short series of, I believe, serious sexual offences. 

"While he is imprisoned, that risk has been removed and he will not be allowed out until it is deemed safe to do so. Once he is released, he will remain on the Sexual Offenders Register for life and be closely monitored to minimise any further risk to the public.

"We put a great deal of effort into this investigation, but once again those efforts have been greatly assisted by the response from the Worcester public.

I would like to personally thank the victims of this offence for supporting our prosecution: it has been no mean feat to bravely relive the fear and trauma they suffered at Clark's hands and I hope his imprisonment gives them some sort of closure."

Issued: Friday 12 October  2012