Dirty old man as a pastor extradited from Canada appears in Belfast court accused of child sex offences

James Clark, the 81-year-old paedophile was arrested on Friday on suspicion of “non-recent sexual offences

By Edward Era Barbacena 

A former pastor has appeared in court after being extradited from Canada on charges of historic child sexual abuse.

James Clarke, also known as Henry Clarke, appeared in the dock of Belfast Magistrates’ Court today accused of offences dating back to the 1960s.

The 81-year-old was charged to court after being brought to Northern Ireland on Friday after an international arrest warrant was issued for him.

It’s alleged that on dates unknown between January 1, 1966 and January 1, 1972 Clarke indecently assaulted a male on two occasions.

He is accused of a third offence of indecent assault on a different male on a date between May 14, 1970 and May 14, 1974.

Clarke’s solicitor told the court bail conditions had been agreed with the prosecution and an address approved by police, but which cannot be reported at this stage, had been provided.

The lawyer requested legal aid to be granted as Clarke was now retired and had spent time in custody in Canada.

A police officer asked that in addition to agreed bail terms his passport also be surrendered and that a surety be put forward as conditions of his release.

District Judge Amanda Henderson freed Clarke on those terms in addition to signing his own bail sum of £500.

The case was adjourned until September 22.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie said: “The arrest is an another example of partnership working between Canadian authorities and the Police Service of Northern Ireland's International Policing Unit.

“Our message is clear that we will relentlessly pursue those who are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime.”

Clarke, who now lives in Meadow Lake in Canada, had fought extradition, citing his advancing years and that he had two disabled sons and was the sole carer for his wife.

The case went all the way to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, which upheld a federal decision to surrender him for extradition to Northern Ireland.

In August it determined he was to be surrendered for extradition within 45 days.

At the time his lawyer Chris Veeman said he had decided to no longer challenge the appeal court’s decision and would return to Northern Ireland to face the charges.