Former Seaford Private School Teacher Found Guilty Of Child Sex Abuse

A former private school teacher has been found guilty of sexually abusing former pupils at a school in Seaford, East Sussex.

David James Clarke committed 45 counts of child sexual abuse while teaching at Newlands School, where he is said to have “preyed on 13 children” between 1978 and 1989, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The 82-year-old, who held a position of “utmost responsibility”, ran a photography club and would isolate boys in a darkroom where the abuse took place, the CPS said.

Claire Brinton, from the CPS, said Clarke exploited pupils for his “own hideous and vile sexual gratification”, often using threats and bribes to manipulate victims.

She added the boys were particularly vulnerable due to their age and because they were away from their homes and families.

Clarke, from Norfolk, was arrested after police found indecent images of children on his computer.

He was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of 39 counts of indecent assault, four offences of indecency with a child, one offence of buggery, and making indecent images of children.

He is due to be sentenced on 1 June.

Claire Brinton added:

“Children have the right to feel safe.

“It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone.”

Newlands School closed in 2014.