Portsmouth Attorney Indicted On Sexual Assault Against Child

BRENTWOOD, NH — A Portsmouth attorney has been indicted on sexual assault charges against a 12-year-old boy. Richard Clark, 46, of Portsmouth, was indicted on two aggravated felonious sexual assault charges, in addition to second-degree assault and felonious sexual assault. The assaults happened in Portsmouth earlier this year, according to the indictments issued this month at Rockingham County Superior Court.

The Portsmouth Herald has reported that Clark is a local attorney. He reportedly told the newspaper that the charges are premised by divorce and he has refuted the allegations.

The domestic second-degree assault charge states Clark knocked a 12-year-old boy to the ground and dragged him across the floor, causing bruising and injury to his head and throughout his body. In addition, the indictments charge him with sexually assaulting the child more than one time, between January and June.

All charges against Clark are felonies. The felonious sexual assault charge and the two aggravated felonious sexual assault charges each carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison if Clark is convicted. The second-degree assault charge is a Class B felony, which carries a maximum possible sentence of 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison if he is convicted.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt; rather, it means a jury has found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.