A drug-fuelled sex attacker targeted a lone teenage woman walking through South Park in Darlington, leading to a harrowing attempted rape incident that was detailed at Durham Crown Court.
On Saturday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 4.50pm, the slightly-built victim was making her way through a secluded part of the park after dark when Malcolm Clixby, who had voluntarily consumed amphetamines and crack cocaine earlier that day, began following her. Clixby, recently released from West Park Hospital where he had been treated for psychiatric issues, grabbed the woman from behind in an attempt to take her to the ground. As he covered her mouth with one hand and tried to place the other beneath her clothing to grab her crotch area, the tenacious teenager bit his hand forcefully twice, enabling her to break free and run to a nearby petrol filling station for help.
- The victim dropped her phone during the struggle and had to borrow a mobile from a sympathetic customer to call for assistance.
- DNA evidence from Clixby was later recovered from the victim, corroborating her account.
Several hours later, around 8pm, Clixby walked into Darlington Police Station and made admissions to officers, stating that he had tried to grope and rape a girl in the park. He repeated similar comments in custody but claimed he did not fully understand the meaning of rape. Despite these confessions, the 43-year-old resident of Greenbank Road, Darlington, denied the charge of attempted rape. He was convicted following a trial at Durham Crown Court in July 2024. Clixby had earlier pleaded guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault.
During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2024, before Judge Jo Kidd, the court heard from prosecutor Emma Dowling about the profound impact on the victim. In her statement, the young woman described suffering from anxiety for the first time, becoming too frightened to leave home initially, and experiencing setbacks in her education and course progress. She has since learned to drive, which has helped rebuild some confidence, though the ordeal continues to affect her deeply.
In mitigation, defence barrister Paul Abrahams noted Clixby's limited criminal record, with no prior sexual or violent offences, and highlighted his background as a former Royal Navy serviceman. Abrahams argued there was limited pre-planning and that the offence remained an attempt due to the victim's resistance rather than any restraint by Clixby. However, Judge Kidd described Clixby's actions as predatory, exacerbated by voluntary intoxication that disinhibited him despite his stable mental health condition upon hospital discharge the previous day.
Psychiatric reports classified Clixby as a dangerous offender posing a significant risk of serious harm through further specified offences. Judge Kidd imposed an eight-year custodial sentence, with a six-year extended licence period, requiring him to serve two-thirds before potential release by the Parole Board. Clixby was also required to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was prohibited from entering South Park, Darlington.
Detective Constable Subhaan Ali of Darlington CID, who led the investigation for Durham Constabulary, commended the victim's bravery in reporting the incident and supporting the case to conviction. 'Clixby deliberately and opportunistically targeted the girl as she walked alone to a party,' DC Ali stated, emphasising the profound long-term impact on the survivor and expressing satisfaction with the substantial sentence to protect lone women and girls.
This case underscores the dangers of voluntary drug use in vulnerable individuals with mental health histories, as reported by The Northern Echo based on court proceedings at Durham Crown Court.