Life for prolific sex offender

A prolific sexual offender has finally been brought to book.

Richard Burrow’s offending in Cheshire started in 1969 and continued through 1971, when he was employed as a housemaster looking after vulnerable children at Danesford Children’s Home, in Congleton.

The former scout leader and school housemaster was convicted of numerous sexual offences against young boys earlier this year.

Burrows, 80, was found guilty of 54 offences – including indecent assault of boys and indecency with a child – after 27 years on the run in Thailand living under a stolen identity.

Burrows systematically abused 26 young boys across Cheshire, West Midlands and West Mercia between 1968 and 1995. In emails found since his arrest, Burrows described spending nearly the past three decades as “living in paradise” after going on the run in 1997 – eventually settling in Thailand.

Burrows pleaded guilty to another 43 offences, including indecent assault of boys, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children and four counts of possession of false identity documents with intent, at an earlier hearing.

Burrows appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Wednesday 30 April) where he was sentenced to a total of 46 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Statement read outside court by DI Eli Atkinson following the sentencing of Richard Burrows:

“Firstly, I want to recognise the bravery and courage shown by all the victims in this case. Without their testimony, support and patience, we would not have been able to reach this point.

“Burrows is a coward, he knew he was guilty in 1997, but rather than face the consequences of his actions, he fled the country after fraudulently obtaining a passport using the identity of an unwell man.

“He spent the last 27 years, in his own words, ‘living in paradise’. It is clear that he did not spare a thought for his victims, who were trying to live their lives under the shadow of the abuse they had suffered.

“It is my belief that Burrows hoped, on his return to the UK after so many years, that his offending might have been forgotten about.

“However, his victims could not forget what he did to them, it has affected every aspect of their lives long into adulthood, and Cheshire Police did not forget what he had done.

“Whilst he pleaded guilty to a large number of offences on his return to the UK, he refused to accept responsibility for some of his most serious offending, forcing his victims to go through the traumatic process of giving evidence at trial.

“He tried to convince the Jury that he wasn’t a ‘bad’ paedophile and that he only did things that his victims wanted him to do.

“He showed no remorse and no understanding of the trauma he has caused so many people. He abused the trust of children in his care as both House Master and Scout Leader in the very worst of ways, targeting vulnerable boys for his own sexual gratification.

“Four of his victims passed away before he was brought to justice. Although their cases were included in the trial and he was found guilty of their abuse, he denied them the opportunity of seeing this happen.

“The sentence handed to Burrows today will likely see Burrows spend the rest of his life in prison and I hope that this outcome finally provides the victims with some closure.

“I also hope that this case acts as a warning to any other wanted suspects out there – we will find you and you will be held accountable for your actions.

“Following the sentencing of Burrows, I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to come forward, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. There is support available and you will be believed and listened to.”