NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — 51-year-old Laurence Clark was sentenced on Friday to serve 30 years in Norfolk prison on child sexual abuse charges, a release states.
Clark was charged after abusing a child relative over a period of eight years. The victim came forward to Norfolk Police last year to report Clark’s abuse despite Clark’s threats to injure and kill the victim, a release states.
On May 17, Clark pleaded no contest to 15 charges. He was sentenced on charges for five counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, one count of incest with a child, two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, one count of raping a child, three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of first-offense possession of child sexual abuse material, and two counts of subsequent-offense possession of child abuse material.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and suspended an additional 150 years on the conditions that he completed 15 years of supervised probation following his release and comply with all recommended sex offender treatments and registry requirements.
“We are all grateful to the survivor of Mr. Clark’s abuse for so bravely coming forward and telling of the abuse she suffered at Mr. Clark’s hands,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “This teenager showed more courage than many full-grown adults. Despite the threats of violence Mr. Clark made, the victim sought help, helped us hold Mr. Clark accountable, and protected others from Mr. Clark in the future.”
