On Thursday 14 May 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, Dean Clarke (13/01/2001), of Cannon Hussey Court, Salford, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexual communication with a child and sexual activity with a child.

Clarke’s offences came to light on Friday 21 October 2022 when a report was made to police by the victim’s mother that a 21-year-old man was communicating with her 13-year-old daughter via an online video and messaging platform.

The victim’s mother had discovered the messages from Clarke sent to her daughter on a personal laptop used at home. Some of the messages implied they had had a sexual relationship as they also talked about pregnancy tests.

An investigation was immediately launched and officers arrested Clarke that same day. He was taken into custody for interview, where he denied all offences. Clarke’s mobile phone was also seized to be examined for evidence. He was released under bail conditions while enquiries continued.

Evidence retrieved from Clarke’s mobile phone provided evidence that he was communicating with the victim in a sexual manner. Communications were consistent between Clarke and the victim between August and October 2022.

The messages also suggested that Clarke had a relationship with the victim that was of a sexual nature. Photographs found also showed the victim and Clarke hugging, and on one occasion, the victim kissing Clarke’s cheek.

After mobile phone and other digital evidence had been reviewed, Clarke was arrested again. During interviews Clarke continued to deny all offences and said his accounts had been hacked. Regarding the conversations found on his phone between himself and the victim; Clarke either said he could not recall or remember, and that he would not send messages of that nature.

On the first day of trial in March 2026, Clarke pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child.

On Thursday 14 May, Clarke was sentenced to five years in prison. He has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Clarke has also been issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

In a statement read in court, the victim’s mother spoke of how her daughter has been affected by the abuse, and of how it has impacted her life and education. 

Her mother said: “She [the victim] explicitly said to me that she does not want to talk about it and does not want anyone to know about it. She was suffering with severe depression and anxiety at the time.

“She did not attend school for four years. It is hard to put into words the impact this has had on her as she approaches her adult life. The loss of her education is by far the biggest impact on her in my opinion.

She continued: “The abuse [the victim] suffered has completely changed her as a person. She used to be quite fun and outgoing. She is not anymore. She is quite withdrawn now. She has trust issues. She cannot trust anyone. She struggles to build relationships.”

The victim’s mother also spoke of how the abuse negatively affected her daughter’s eating and sleeping habits. She added: “She has isolated herself emotionally. She will not speak to me about it. I respect her views on this and hope she can move on with her life.”

Detective Constable Robert Webster from GMP Salford’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, said: “I’d like to thank the brave victim for sitting through interviews and helping us build a case against Clarke.

“We understand it must have been very painful for her to revisit the abuse she was subjected to in order to help us with the investigation.

“I’d like to urge all victims of sexual abuse that have not yet reported it to please come forward. You will be believed and taken seriously. We can work at a pace that suits you and we have specialist officers that can support you throughout the process.

“If you or someone you may know has been sexually abused, call police on 101 or report it via the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Help and support

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised for its strong support services for victims of sexual offences.

Support for Victims

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, you are not alone. You can report it to the police or contact specialist support services:

• Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Manchester.
  24/7 support, forensic examinations, and counselling, call 0161 276 6515.

• Greater Manchester Rape Crisis. Confidential support and counselling for women aged 18+, call 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
• Survivors Manchester. Trauma-informed support for boys and men, call 0161 236 2182.