Paedophile jailed for child rape three decades ago

Barrie Clarke was sentenced to 19 years in prison

A man has been jailed for 19 years for the rape of a girl more than three decades ago.

Barrie Clarke, 66, of Artiss Close, Bildeston, Suffolk, was convicted of one count of rape and eight counts of indecent assault against the girl.

He was also convicted of indecently assaulting a second girl under the age of 15. He had denied all the offences.

Det Con Liz McGrath, who led the investigation, said: "Barrie Clarke's sickening offending has had a long-lasting impact."

Clarke was convicted after a seven-day trial at Cambridge Crown Court in January.

Police say the offences took place in North Hertfordshire in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Clarke had been charged with another count of raping a child under 16, but the jury couldn't reach a decision on the count and convicted him on an alternative account of indecent assault.

Det Con McGrath, formerly of the Non-Recent Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "I would like to commend the two victims for reporting these incidents to police and for their support during this difficult time.

"Clarke preyed on these two young girls and has refused to hold himself accountable for his abhorrent behaviour."