Neal Clarke, a 21-year-old from Harold Hill, has been spared an immediate prison sentence after admitting to stabbing his stepfather, Joe Kelly, multiple times during an altercation at their home in Whinchat Road, Thamesmead. Clarke claimed he acted in self-defence against years of alleged verbal and physical abuse from Kelly.
The incident, which occurred on March 2, 2022, unfolded when Clarke, then 19, and Kelly engaged in a physical confrontation after Kelly entered Clarke’s bedroom and placed dishes on his bed, according to prosecutor Efstathios Divaris. Clarke, feeling provoked, grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his stepfather several times before Kelly managed to escape and call emergency services.
During the trial, Clarke asserted that Kelly had bullied him for years, even displaying a scar allegedly inflicted by his stepfather’s violence. Clarke’s defence argued that his actions were a result of the escalating altercation initiated by Kelly’s provocative behaviour.
Representing Clarke, Yimi Yangye emphasized her client’s typically calm and respectful demeanour, citing the incident as a stark departure from his character. Clarke, who has been on bail since the incident, has not committed any offences since and is currently raising a family with his partner.
In a sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge Neil Saunders acknowledged the seriousness of the offence but opted to suspend Clarke’s 18-month prison sentence for 18 months. Saunders noted Clarke’s actions following the incident, including alerting a bus driver to call the police and confiding in a neighbour, as indicative of self-defence.
Addressing Clarke directly, Judge Saunders acknowledged the impact of Kelly’s alleged abuse, stating, “You had been actively abused by him, you said.” He also highlighted Clarke’s commitment to his family and lack of re-offending as mitigating factors.
As part of the sentence, Clarke was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and a restraining order was issued. The case sheds light on the complex dynamics of domestic altercations and the legal considerations surrounding self-defence claims in such circumstances.
