Exclusive:Rotherham man James Clarke sobs as he is jailed for campaign of witness intimidation which left victim in fear
The offence was described as “extremely serious”
A criminal sobbed as he was jailed for a campaign of witness intimidation, which left the woman he targeted fearing for her safety.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how the woman made a serious allegation against James Clarke, but subsequently decided she did not wish to proceed with the case due to “not feeling up to” or “ready” to pursue criminal proceedings.
Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said that following the allegation made by the complainant, Clarke was released on bail by police with a number of conditions, prohibiting him from contacting her.
Despite this, Clarke, aged 37, contacted the woman directly, through friends and family, and via her workplace.
Appearing at court via a prison video link, Clarke sobbed as Judge David Dixon sentenced him to 13 months’ imprisonment.
He told Clarke: “It didn’t stop you badgering her, telling her to drop the charges, making threats to an extent.”
“Whatever the situation between you and her, you are not allowed to tell her: ‘Do not pursue me’ - and that’s what you’ve done.”
Judge Dixon described the offence of intimidating a witness - which Clarke pleaded guilty to at an earlier hearing - as being an “extremely serious” one.
He explained: “We rely on people being able to come forward and say this has happened.
“And anyone who interferes with that process - particularly to save their own skin - is in effect interfering with the fabric of how society works.”
Reflecting on the intimidation she endured, the victim said: “He shouldn’t have the right to tell me to drop the charges…I just want to be left alone.”
In her initial statement, which was read out in court, the complainant described feeling “scared of what could happen.”
She described feeling anxious and depressed, as though she is not herself, all of which is having a knock-on effect on her ability to work.
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” the complainant said in a further statement, adding that she was fearful of ending up dead despite having gone to police on a number of occasions.
The court heard how the intimidation Clarke subjected the complainant to was carried out between October 2025 and January 2026.
Defending, Francis Edusei told the court that Clarke, of Victoria Street, Dinnington, Rotherham, had been in custody on remand since his arrest in January 2026, which amounted to him having already served 129 days behind bars before he was sentenced.
Judge Dixon added that it was right to note that whilst Clarke does have a criminal record for matters including possession with intent to supply amphetamines and drink driving, he does not have any previous convictions for similar offences.
Sending Clarke to begin his sentence, Judge Dixon told him that the offence is so serious that only a sentence of immediate imprisonment could be justified.
He said the time Clarke has spent on remand will count towards his sentence, meaning he may soon be released.
Judge Dixon also granted a restraining order, prohibiting Clarke from contacting the complainant for a period of five years.