Walsall man who abused disabled children may have 81 victims

A teaching assistant may have abused “well over 81” children with special educational needs and other disabilities, it can now be revealed.

Daniel Clarke, from Walsall, has been jailed for seven years and six months, after pleading guilty to sexual offences against six vulnerable children.

But a major investigation is under way by West Midlands Police, who believe he could be one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent times.

He can now be named after the BBC successfully challenged an order, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, withholding his identity from the public.

The court heard Clarke “abused his position of trust” by sexually assaulting “particularly vulnerable” children, all of whom had additional needs and disabilities.

In February, he pleaded guilty to offences including making indecent photographs of a child, assaulting children by touching, and inciting children to engage in sexual activity with no penetration.

Prosecuting barrister Daniel Oscroft said the man had worked as a teaching assistant at a school in Solihull and, separately, as a personal assistant to several children.

Many of the details shared during a two-day sentencing hearing are too graphic to publish.

Sentencing Clarke, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: “Those who have special educational needs are vulnerable and require protection and support.

“Both they and their close relatives are entitled to expect such protection and support from persons such as yourself, who are entrusted to look after them.

“What you did constitutes a gross breach of trust and will have caused significant psychological harm to those concerned.”