Southampton Police Sergeant Jailed for 15 Years for Raping Schoolgirl

Gary Clark, 48, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court today after being found guilty of 17 offenses, including ten counts of indecent assault on a female under 16, six counts of indecency with a child, and one count of rape.

Clark, who was suspended from duty last August while investigations were carried out, was sentenced to a total of 15 years imprisonment, with 12 years for the rape charge and a three-year extended sentence. The other 16 counts will run concurrently.

Detective Inspector Victoria Dennis of Hampshire Constabulary stated: "I welcome these convictions which follow a lengthy investigation by Hampshire Constabulary. Our thoughts are with the victim and her family at this time. I hope today's result will bring some level of closure to the victim and her family and that she can now start to rebuild her life."

Clark will now be subject to an internal police misconduct investigation.

Det Insp Dennis added: "Hampshire Constabulary takes any allegations of this kind extremely seriously and will investigate them thoroughly. It is extremely rare for a Hampshire constabulary officer to be charged and convicted of such serious sexual offences. The constabulary would like to reassure residents that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remains a safe place to live, work and grow old."