By Tim Parsons-

Jurors found Ralph Clarke from Birmingham, guilty of 21 counts of abusing two girls in the 1970s and 80s. The old pervert had admitted nine charges relating to a boy, but dfenied the others.

He admitted nine charges relating to a young boy part-way through his trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Raph Clarke told jurors that the offence that happened woth the boy was just ”something that happened”. Clarke also told the court he was immune to feelings as he displayed strange signs of wickedness and an innate level of evil streak.

Clark, a former RAF serviceman commited the offences between 1973 and 1980, in his late 60’s and 70’s. He knew what he was doing, had no regrets then, and has none now. His old age would normally call for thoughts and consideration of clemency, but that would make mockery of the law.

The prosecutor for The State  from the outset emphasised the long known rule of legal thinking that age is no barrier to prosecituon for a criminal offence . Anyone who breaks the law is liable to be punished without exception.  Ralph Clarke, who should have known he may be held to account for his offences later in life, was already an old man at the time he committed the offences. He clearly did not care about the consequences at the time, and looked impassive even as the judgement was read out to him. Let him rot in jail, he deserves whatever he gets

The judge said he  would think hard about  Ralph Clarke’s sentence.  The reality is that he’s so old it’s unlikely he’ll be released back into the community.”He said the public would be “horrified” if Clarke was not sent to prison.

Complaints about Mr.Clarke were first made to police last August after the complainants saw facebook post celebrating his 100th