In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Emma Stevens, 23, and Nathan Clarke, 29, were jailed for the “vile” sexual abuse of a child and the distribution of “reprehensible” images. On appearing at Teesside Crown Court in August 2019, the defendants—who had never met in person until their trial—were each sentenced to six years in prison. It was reported that Stevens, from Eston, Middlesbrough, carried out “monstrous” sex acts on a child under the orders of Clarke, who was living in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
The investigation established the calculated and “shameful” nature of the couple’s long-distance relationship. Cleveland Police and West Yorkshire Police reported that the pair had messaged “pretty much all day, every day” for four years via WhatsApp. The prosecution reported that Clarke, originally from Keighley, “reprehensibly” incited Stevens to force her young victim into sexual activity and then “vilely” demanded that she send him photographic evidence of the “atrocious” abuse.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the “vile” offending was uncovered by a landlord at a property on Braithwaite Road, Keighley, who discovered “sickening” images on Clarke’s laptop. Teesside Crown Court heard that a forensic search of Clarke’s devices, including a Samsung Galaxy and a Sony Xperia, uncovered 67 images of children. The investigation established that Stevens “shamefully” took 17 indecent images of the live abuse she inflicted on the child and sent four of them to Clarke to satisfy his “warped” sexual gratification.
Judge Deborah Sherwin noted that while Stevens committed the physical acts, the “monstrous” activity was entirely instigated by Clarke. For their actions in Eston and Keighley, Stevens pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and taking indecent images. Clarke admitted to incitement and three counts of possession. The judge noted that the “reprehensible” corruption of a child necessitated six-year custodial terms for both, life-long inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register, and strict Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs).
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Emma Stevens and Nathan Clarke is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 6 years in prison each (Sentenced August 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life for both.
- SHPO Status: Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders remain in place.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Teesside Crown Court following a joint investigation by Cleveland Police and West Yorkshire Police.
- Criminal Record (Stevens): Causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; Making indecent images.
- Criminal Record (Clarke): Inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; Possession of indecent images.
- Origin: Eston, Middlesbrough (Stevens) and Keighley, West Yorkshire (Clarke).
Monitoring and Public Protection
The pair are managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the police and the National Probation Service in their respective areas of Middlesbrough and Bradford. Due to the nature of their conduct, which involved “monstrous” remote incitement and “reprehensible” physical abuse of a child, their management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that their “shameful” use of encrypted messaging to facilitate “vile” abuse necessitates permanent digital forensic audits and strict residency checks to prevent them from targeting children in the future.
As members of the Sex Offenders Register for life, both Stevens and Clarke must comply with all notification requirements regarding their identity and residence. Authorities state that their history of “atrocious” and “deceptive” cooperation in Teesside and West Yorkshire necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to contact children, use unauthorized messaging platforms, or fail to disclose their location to the authorities will result in immediate arrest and a return to the prison system.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.