Paul Clark: Former MP jailed over child abuse images

A erstwhile Labour MP who shared kid maltreatment worldly has been jailed.

Paul Clark, who represented Gillingham successful Kent for 13 years, was caught with much than 1,400 images connected 5 physics devices.

During his career, Clark worked arsenic a parliamentary backstage caput to lawman Prime Minister John Prescott and acquisition caput Ed Balls.

At Maidstone Crown Court, the 66-year-old was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months successful prison.

Following his apprehension successful May 2021, Clark's devices were seized for investigation and officers recovered much than 1,400 indecent images of children.

He was subsequently charged with 3 counts of making indecent images of children and six counts of distributing indecent images of children betwixt April 2013 and May 2021.

Clark pleaded blameworthy to each charges.

The erstwhile politician's defence barrister, Ronnie Manek KC, said Clark was "a antheral afloat of remorse and regret".

Danielle Pownall, National Crime Agency (NCA) operations manager, said: "Behind a important fig of images successful Clark's possession was a susceptible kid being abused, conscionable to fulfill paedophiles.

"He helped substance the sickening commercialized successful this worldly by downloading the images and sending them connected to different offenders. In doing so, helium besides re-victimised each child."