Murdered dad was ex-soldier who turned to alcohol after seeing best pal die in combat
DAUGHTER SAYS HE NEVER RECEIVED HELP FOR PTSD AND ‘WENT DOWNHILL’ AFTER LEAVING THE ARMY
A DAUGHTER has told how her murdered dad had “undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder” (PTSD) when he turned to booze after leaving the Army.
Andrew Clark – described in court as an alcoholic – was killed by another drinker when he was stabbed and had his throat cut at a flat in Epperstone Court, West Bridgford, on January 5.
Alcoholic Charles Fraser and a friend were “lounging in the living room with Mr Clark’s lifeless body propped up against a settee”, said the sentencing judge, who jailed Fraser for life on Monday.
A minimum term of 12 years and 362 days was imposed on 58-year-old Fraser.
Mr Clark’s daughter, Amy Clark – his only child from his second marriage – has spoken for the first time about her dad whose life was so cruelly cut short.
“I don’t think he got help in the Army for the undiagnosed PTSD and I think that’s why he turned to alcohol,” said Amy, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.
Mr Clark, 54, served in Northern Ireland and witnessed his best friend die in combat. He came out of service early to spend more time with his sons from his first marriage.
He lived in Gamston and met Amy’s mum, Sharon Clark, at a local nightclub. They later separated and he went to live with his sister, Carole Hart.
“He was a good man with a very good heart,” said Amy.
“When I was six or seven years old, he started to go downhill. He had his good moments and his bad moments. When someone is that far gone, it’s hard to help.
“He didn’t get the help he needed, but he was such a good man. He was cheeky, funny, very spontaneous”.
Carole looked after Mr Clark for about five years, said Amy, after alcohol had put him on the wrong track in life.
He had a girlfriend and was about to move to a new flat at the time of his death.
“Everyone made an effort at some point and loved him very much”, says Amy, 20.
“He lived in a caravan park in Gamston. It was very, very small. He was just getting help and was going to get this brand new flat, then he was murdered. I knew he was friends with Fraser. He went there occasionally to keep him company.
“Dad passed away on the Sunday and I found out on the Tuesday. I was coming back from work.
“I saw a police car on my estate. They did a home visit to my mum. She told me. It was upsetting. I hadn’t seen him for a while.”
Fraser said he could not remember what happened that day.
Vanessa Marshall QC, who represented him, said he had an addiction to alcohol that had been with him since the age of 12.
“He is, of course, horrified as to what happened, horrified as to what he must have done,” she told Nottingham Crown Court.
“He hopes that by him pleading guilty it might bring some comfort to the family of Mr Clark”.
Amy added: “My dad had problems with alcohol but he would never do that to anyone. It is not an excuse. He did not deserve that at all... for everything he has done for his country. He was a good man and a good dad.”
In her eyes the sentence Fraser received “isn’t life” and she is disappointed.
“There’s not much I can do. Twelve years doesn’t seem long enough to take a good man’s life.”
The Royal British Legion cannot comment on individual cases. There is support and help available for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families and advice can be found at britishlegion.org. uk.
The British Army has been contacted for a comment but had not replied by the time this edition went to press.