Ex-Scout Leader Convicted of Child Sex Offences After 27-Year Flight

Richard Burrows, aged 80, has been convicted of nearly 100 child abuse offences after fleeing to Thailand for nearly thirty years. He was arrested in the UK and admitted to some charges while denying others. Burrows is described as an unrepentant paedophile, and his case highlights significant failures in addressing abuse allegations against him. Various authorities hope that his conviction provides closure to the victims, albeit four have since passed away.

Richard Burrows, an 80-year-old former scout leader and boarding school housemaster, has been convicted of nearly 100 offences, including numerous child abuse charges, nearly three decades after fleeing to Thailand. Burrows’ abuse of boys occurred between the late 1960s and mid-1990s, while he held positions at a school in Cheshire and as a scout leader in the West Midlands.

After evading justice for nearly 30 years, Burrows was apprehended at Heathrow Airport on 28 March last year, having returned to the UK due to financial constraints. He faced over 100 charges connected to a lifetime of abuse, admitting to 43 but denying the remainder during his court appearance at Chester crown court.

The court confirmed Burrows’ conviction on 54 counts, including serious offences like indecency with a child and indecent assault, ultimately leading to a total of 97 convictions. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 7 April. The jury was presented with evidence demonstrating that Burrows systematically exploited his positions of trust to abuse young boys under his care.

Mark Connor KC, the prosecuting attorney, emphasized Burrows’ manipulation of his roles to fulfill his sexual desires. While admitting to being a paedophile, Burrows denies the more severe allegations, referring to them as “degrading and disgusting.” DI Eleanor Atkinson from the Cheshire constabulary described Burrows as a “prolific sex offender,” highlighting his lack of remorse for his actions.

Burrows, while living in Thailand under the alias Peter Smith, expressed in an email that he spent these years “living in paradise.” His capture was facilitated by detectives who employed facial recognition software, ultimately leading to his identification in Chalong, Phuket. It was revealed that he had assumed the identity of a deceased acquaintance to obtain a false passport in order to escape authorities.

Atkinson expressed hope that Burrows’ conviction would provide some closure to his victims, although four have since passed away without witnessing justice. Samantha Thompson, a specialist prosecutor, characterized Burrows as an “unrepentant paedophile,” noting the horrific impact of his crimes on the victims, many of whom were previously disregarded when they attempted to report the abuse. In court, Burrows rationalized his flight to Thailand by denying responsibility for the accusations, asserting that he left because he wished to sail and had since returned home due to financial struggle.

In summary, Richard Burrows was convicted of extensive child sex offences after evading justice for nearly thirty years. His systematic abuse of boys during his time in positions of trust has led to numerous convictions, although some victims did not live to see this day of accountability. Investigative efforts, including advanced technology, ultimately culminated in his capture, affirming the necessity for justice and closure for his victims.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com