Teacher abused 13 boys in school darkroom

David James Clarke, an 82-year-old former teacher at Newlands School in Seaford, East Sussex, has been convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse. The abuse, which spanned from 1978 to 1989, involved 13 young boys. Clarke exploited his position of trust, running a photography club and isolating pupils in a darkroom.

Prosecutors stated Clarke used threats and bribes to manipulate the boys for his own gratification. The victims were vulnerable due to their age and being away from home. Clarke's arrest followed the discovery of 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, and one offence of buggery, alongside making indecent images of children. Newlands School closed in 2014. Clarke is scheduled for sentencing on June 1st.