Stephen Clark

A 73-year-old pensioner from Dawlish, Devon, has pleaded guilty to multiple serious child sex offences at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court. Stephen Clark, residing at Luscombe Terrace, admitted to a series of charges involving the creation, distribution, and possession of indecent images of children, as well as other exploitative acts against minors.

The court heard that Clark pleaded guilty to making 147 Category A indecent images of children—the most serious classification—along with 176 Category B images and 88 Category C images. These offences involved the production and retention of highly explicit material depicting child sexual abuse. Additionally, Clark admitted to distributing 21 Category A and Category C images between February and May 2024, thereby facilitating the further spread of this harmful content.

• Making 147 Category A indecent images of children
• Making 176 Category B indecent images
• Making 88 Category C indecent images
• Distributing 21 Category A and C images (February to May 2024)
• Causing a child under 13 years of age to engage in sexual activity (non-penetrative)
• Breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed in 2015

Further details emerged regarding a specific charge of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity that did not involve penetration, highlighting the direct harm inflicted on a young victim. Clark also breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order from 2015, which had been put in place to restrict his access to children and certain materials following prior convictions. This breach underscored a pattern of non-compliance with legal safeguards designed to protect vulnerable individuals.

The hearing took place on Thursday, 11 December 2025, at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court. Following his guilty pleas, Clark was granted bail and remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at Exeter Crown Court in January 2026. The judge will determine the full extent of his punishment at that time, with expectations of a custodial sentence given the gravity of the offences.

This case was reported by the Mid Devon Advertiser, a local publication covering court proceedings in the region. No specific quotes from the prosecution or defence were detailed in the coverage, but the admissions were made unequivocally in open court. Devon and Cornwall Police, responsible for the investigation in this jurisdiction, have not issued further public statements at this stage.

The offences occurred within the United Kingdom, specifically in Devon, and reflect ongoing efforts by authorities to combat child sexual exploitation through robust enforcement of sexual offences legislation.