Top Darwin horse trainer’s son avoids jail over aggravated assault

A TROUBLED member of one of the Territory’s most successful horse racing families has avoided jail after being convicted of an aggravated assault

Guy Clarke, the son of top Darwin horse trainer Gary Clarke, has found himself in trouble with the law, narrowly escaping time behind bars. Picture: Justin Kennedy

A TROUBLED member of one of the Territory’s most successful horse racing families has avoided jail after being convicted of an aggravated assault.

Guy Marshall Clarke, from the Clarke racing family, was convicted of one count use carriage service to harass and one count of aggravated assault.

Clarke, a former track and champion bronco rider, will serve six-months jail, suspended immediately, with a two-year operational period, and be forced to pay a $750 victims levy after pleading guilty to the charges.

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Judge Greg Cavanagh said Clarke was an incredibly lucky man to have such a strong support network, with up to a dozen family members in court, as well as the fact he hadn’t caused more harm in the incident.

“If he (the victim) had have hit his head on a piece of concrete … (it’s) murder charge and go to jail for 20 years,” Judge Cavanagh said.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of luck and you’ve got a lot of luck.

“You’ve got problems, you’re dealing with them, you’ve got family support.”

Judge Cavanagh imposed a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, for Clarke’s aggravated assault charge and a $750 victims levy fine for Clarke’s use carriage service to harass charge.

“I’m going to impose a prison sentence of six months which I’ll suspend for two years,” Judge Cavanagh said.

“Behave yourself, especially behave yourself knowing sometimes you can get a bit edgy because you’ve got problems.”

Clarke’s lawyer Peter Maley spoke of Clarke’s troubles, including an 18-month suspension from the Thoroughbred Racing Industry that had “ostracised” him from the family in a work sense, after he returned a positive cocaine reading, breaching the Australian Racing rules.

Mr Maley said the Clarke family was also providing support, with a stable de facto relationship and a mental health plan hoping to put Clarke on the right track.

“He is sorry, his vigilante-type behaviour is unacceptable and he is remorseful,” Mr Maley said.

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Mr Maley also indicated his client had opportunities through his work as a qualified carpenter.

Clarke’s father, Gary, has won the past eight consecutive Darwin trainers’ premierships spanning from 2013 and 2020.

Originally published as Top Darwin horse trainer’s son avoids jail over aggravated assault