Paedophile is on new list of most wanted

Nov 16 2007 by Paul James, The Journal

A PAEDOPHILE who has been on the run from his Newcastle home for five years was last night named as one of Crimestoppers’ Most Wanted men.

Stephen Clare, 35, left the address he was staying at in the city in 2002 and is wanted for failing to comply with notification requirements.

He was originally convicted in the 1990s for offences against children in the West Midlands and on his release from prison moved to Sussex and then Newcastle in 2000.

Since 2002 officers said they have made a number of inquiries about his whereabouts. Following a full review of the case and a further risk assessment, police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre decided to go public and publish his photograph and details on the Crimestoppers Most Wanted website.

Inquiries are continuing to establish Clare’s current whereabouts.

He has been known to pose as a photographer and has undertaken qualifications to teach English as a foreign language, and has possibly travelled overseas.

Pictures have been issued showing how he may look now, as well as a photograph from 2000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Newcastle on 0845 604-3043, ext 62926 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.