In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 28-year-old Janos Barber and then 30-year-old Samuel Clarke—both of Chirk, Wrexham—were jailed for a series of depraved strikes against a young child. The investigation established that the pair, who lived together in a flat in Church View, had been caught up in “distorted thought processes” and paedophilic tendencies. The prosecution reported at Mold Crown Court that the investigation was triggered on 1 June 2020, after a social media platform alerted police that two videos involving child abuse had been uploaded from a phone at their address.
The investigation established that a search of the flat uncovered a USB stick containing footage of the two defendants featuring in sexual activity with a young boy. Furthermore, the prosecution reported that digital equipment in the premises contained a staggering 120,000 still images and videos of child abuse. This included more than 1,000 Category A files—the highest level of seriousness—depicting the rape of a baby. Barber also admitted to voyeurism, having hidden a camera inside a rucksack to record boys dressing and undressing at a swimming pool.
Judicial Findings and Sentencing
The court reported that the victim had been caused “untold damage” by the pair’s actions. The investigation established the “tortured” words of the boy’s mother, who described her heart as being broken in a victim impact statement read to the court. The prosecution reported that Recorder Duncan Bould told the men their actions would be met with “disgust and revulsion” by the public. Both men broke down as they appeared via video link from HMP Berwyn for the sentencing hearing.
Judge-led proceedings at Mold Crown Court concluded in October 2020. For his actions in Chirk, Wrexham and the nature of the serial child abuse reported, Janos Barber was sentenced to eight years and 10 months in prison. Samuel Clarke was handed a custodial term of six years and eight months. The judge noted that the scale of the indecent material found in their possession was “depraved” and represented a profound violation of human decency.
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial orders issued at Mold Crown Court in 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Barber: Inciting a child to sexual activity x2, sexual assault x2, sexual act in presence of a child x2, possession of indecent images, voyeurism; Clarke: Sexual activity in presence of a child x3, possession of indecent images).
- Custodial Status: SERVING (Barber: 8 years 10 months; Clarke: 6 years 8 months).
- Sex Offenders Register: Both men are registered INDEFINITELY.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Mold Crown Court; investigated by North Wales Police.
- Criminal Record: Pair lived together while targeting a young boy; Possessed 120,000 images of child abuse including infant rape; Barber used a hidden rucksack camera at a swimming pool; Caught after uploading abuse footage to social media.
- Origin: Church View and Chapel Lane, Chirk, Wrexham.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Barber and Clarke are managed as high-risk offenders under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Wrexham. Due to the nature of their behaviour—specifically the “serial” recording of abuse and the vast volume of Category A material—they are priorities for the most intensive digital forensic monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures both men are permanently stripped of any ability to work with children or hold a position of trust.
As registered sex offenders for life, their details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that their behaviour identifies individuals who prioritised their own depraved gratification over the safety and human rights of a child and infants depicted in their collection. Any failure by Barber or Clarke to adhere to their notification requirements or their restrictive court orders in Chirk, Wrexham or elsewhere will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from men who have violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the digital equipment contained “120,000 Images” including the rape of a baby, do you believe the law should legally mandate a “Whole Life Order” for anyone found in possession of Category A material that they have personally recorded?
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