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Defendant Ralph Clarke is 101-years-old. Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
Summary: The oldest reported defendant in British history is being charged with multiple counts of child sex crimes.
Ralph Clarke allegedly is one dirty old man. The Telegraph reports that he may be the oldest defendant in British legal history, and the 101-year-old recently stood in court holding a walking stick as he pled not guilty to 31 child sex offenses.
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On Monday, Clarke appeared at Birmingham Crown Court in the U.K. to deny abusing three child victims between 1974 and 1983. He is represented by attorney Darren Whitehead.
During his time in court, the retired driver was offered a hearing device, but he turned down the offer because he said he already had new batteries in his aid. Judge Murray Creed, however, seemed concerned that the elder wasn’t understanding any of the instructions, which had to be repeated to him.
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Clarke’s trial is set for December 5 and is expected to last two weeks. The Guardian reports that six witnesses are expected to speak there.
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According to The Telegraph, “[Clarke] is charged with 17 counts of indecent assault of a child, 12 counts of gross indecency with a child and two counts of attempted beggary of a child.”
When Clarke left the court house, he reportedly had to use his walking stick and a handrail to support his frail body.
What do you think about Clarke and his crimes? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: The Telegraph
