Handyman sexually abused woman with learning difficulties
PERVERT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN JAILED FOR RAPING GIRL
A TRUSTED handyman exploited his position and sexually abused an ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman who has learning difficulties.
Barry Clarkson, 53, has been locked up for five years and three months after taking advantage of the trust he had gained from the woman’s family.
Clarkson had previously been jailed for five years for raping a girl more than 20 years ago, a crime this victim’s family were unaware of.
Manchester Crown Court heard that Clarkson worked as a handyman and landscape gardener in Salford.
The victim would often be on her own at home when Clarkson was around, prosecutor David Lees said.
Clarkson sexually touched the woman and he forced her to touch his genitals. He also tried to persuade her to expose herself so he could see through the window, the court was told
Clarkson’s crimes came to light when the woman and her family were playing a ‘word game’ and she made disclosures about his behaviour towards her.
She told her family that Clarkson had told her not to tell anyone about what he had done.
A statement submitted to the court by the victim’s sister revealed that the incident has had a ‘devastating effect’ on her.
Summarising the statement, Judge Martin Rudland said: “Because of her mental condition, recall is like reliving rather than remembering, in a way that is unpleasant.”
Her family also said that they feel like they have ‘let her down.’
“But they weren’t to know that the person they trusted, and to a degree indulged, was exploiting their good nature,” the judge added.
Thomas McKail, defending, said Clarkson is ‘disgusted,’ ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’ by his crimes and that he wants to apologise.
“He can offer no explanation as to why he would behave in such a manner,” the barrister said.
Mr McKail told the court that Clarkson has had a ‘somewhat nomadic existence,’ including periods of homelessness. He said the crimes were ‘opportunistic’ offences committed ‘impulsively.’
Sentencing, Judge Rudland said the family had offered Clarkson a ‘golden opportunity’ to rehabilitate himself after his release from prison, an opportunity he later exploited.
“It really was a perfect setting for someone to rehabilitate themselves, as you needed to.
“For many years you did indeed embrace that opportunity and did not abuse it.”
Clarkson, of Meech Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to four offences – two counts of sexual activity with a person who lacks capacity to consent, one count of causing sexual activity with a person who lacks capacity to consent and one count of inciting sexual activity with a person who lacks capacity to consent.
A sexual harm prevention order was passed to last indefinitely.