MATTHEW CLARKE – ILKESTON

2022 –

A Derby man, Matthew Clarke, carried out an alarming and sustained pattern of harassment towards the mother of his child while he was in custody and after his release.

During the course of his behaviour, he:
• Used other prisoners’ partners to contact the victim on his behalf
• Bombarded her with calls, texts, emails and WhatsApp messages every day
• Sent a man to her home to hand her a phone so he could speak to her secretly
• Used other prisoners’ phone PINs so authorities wouldn’t know he was contacting her
• Continued contact even though the victim’s contact with him was “significantly less” than the extensive communication he directed at her

After his release in June 2022, the unwanted communication escalated sharply. Some daily totals included:
• June 21 – 28 emails
• June 22 – 18 emails + 80 text messages
• June 25 – 25 voice calls + 20 voice mails
• June 26 – 10 anonymous calls, 42 WhatsApp messages + 32 missed calls
• June 27 – 52 WhatsApp messages

Clarke also harassed a previous partner of the female victim, a man who shares a child with her, turning up at his workplace on June 25, asking aggressively for him and causing fear.

Convictions & Sentencing

Matthew Clarke pleaded guilty to:
• Two counts of breaching a restraining order
• One count of harassment against the male victim

He has 19 previous convictions for 30 offences.

He was jailed for 15 months.
Judge Tim Spruce commented on Clarke’s deliberate attempts to avoid detection and the persistent, daily nature of his contact.

⚠️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS – CLARE’S LAW ⚠️

If you ever feel uneasy about someone’s past or you’re worried about a partner’s behaviour — you have the legal right to ask the police for information.

Clare’s Law allows you to request:
• Whether someone has a history of domestic violence,
• Previous abusive behaviour,
• Or any information that could help protect you.

You do not need to be in immediate danger to ask.
You can apply anonymously and confidentially through your local police force.

Your safety matters. Knowledge is protection.