Man from Colchester admits 30 child sex offences
Police have said he faces a "significant amount of time" behind bars
Last updated 19th Aug 2021
A man from Colchester has admitted 30 child sex offences.
Matthew Clarke, aged 22, of Delamere Road, Colchester, was arrested after officers from the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Proactive Investigation Team carried out a warrant in Colchester in November last year.
He was charged in May and at Ipswich Crown Court on 11 August he admitted:
-12 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
-counts of making indecent images of a child
-Five counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act
-Three counts of sexual communication with a child
-Two counts of sexual activity with a child
-One count of assault by penetration
-One count of sexual assault.
He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 8 September.
The investigation, which involved 13 victims with offences taking place between 2015 and 2019, was carried out by Essex Police's CSE Proactive Investigation Team.
Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere, from the CSE Proactive Investigation Team, said:
“Matthew Clarke exploited and preyed upon young girls for his own sexual gratification.
“Due to the excellent work of my team he was left with no option but to plead guilty to 30 offences.
“He now faces a significant amount of time behind bars.
“I want to pay tribute to the courage of the girls involved and I hope this result will help them move forward.”
Anybody with information or concerns about a child being groomed or exploited is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.