A COLCHESTER man who "exploited and preyed upon young girls" is facing a "significant amount of time behind bars" after a complex investigation into the organised exploitation of children.

Matthew Clarke, 22, was arrested after officers from the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Proactive Investigation Team carried out a warrant in Colchester in November.

Clarke, of Delamere Road, Colchester, was charged with 30 offences in May and at Ipswich Crown Court last Wednesday admitted:

  • 12 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
  • Six counts of making indecent images of a child.
  • Five counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.
  • Three counts of sexual communication with a child.
  • Two counts of sexual activity with a child.
  • One count of assault by penetration.
  • One count of sexual assault.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on September 8.

The investigation, which involved 13 victims with offences taking place between 2015 and 2019, was carried out by the CSE Proactive Investigation Team.

Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere said: “Matthew Clarke exploited and preyed upon young girls for his own sexual gratification.

“Due to the excellent work of my team he was left with no option but to plead guilty to 30 offences.

“He now faces a significant amount of time behind bars.

“I want to pay tribute to the courage of the girls involved and I hope this result will help them move forward.”

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The CSE Proactive Investigation Team was formed earlier this year and deals with both reactive and proactive investigations referred by partners or from other teams within Essex Police.

They deal with the most complex and difficult criminal investigations involving the sexual exploitation of children.

If you have any information or concerns about a child being groomed or exploited, please call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.