Latest news with #DanesfordChildren'sHome
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Paedophile scoutmaster who fled to Thailand and spent decades on the run will die behind bars after being jailed for 46 years
A paedophile scout leader and school housemaster who spent 27 years on the run in Thailand has today been jailed for 46 years. Richard Burrows, 81, systematically abused 24 boys across the Cheshire, West Midlands and West Mercia areas between 1968 and 1995. The predator became one of the UK's most wanted fugitives when he fled the country before his trial was due to take place in 1997. The trail went completely cold for more than a quarter of a century until last year when officers at Cheshire police ran a manipulated mugshot through a publicly available AI facial recognition program, PimEyes. After searching through billions of photos online, it unexpectedly came up with a match with 'Peter Smith', a British expat living in Thailand, partly thanks to a distinctive mole visible on both his and 'Peter's' jaw. Burrows was arrested at Heathrow Airport in March last year after returning from Thailand. In emails found after his eventual arrest, Burrows described 'living in paradise' on the tropical island of Phuket. He had stolen the name from an acquaintance who was terminally ill, which allowed him to fraudulently obtain a genuine passport and leave the country without detection. Richard Burrows is pictured in a police mugshot in 1997, when he was first arrested, and in a more recent one when he was arrested last year and found guilty Last month, Burrows was found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court of 54 offences including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to another 43 offences including indecent assault, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children and four counts of possession of false identity documents with intent. His offending in Cheshire took place between 1969 and 1971 while he was employed as a housemaster looking after vulnerable children at Danesford Children's Home in Congleton. His victims in the West Midlands and West Mercia areas were abused between 1968 and 1995, the majority through local Scout groups where Burrows worked as a leader. In each case he befriended the victims by using his position of trust. Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson, who had led the investigation, said: '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, Cheshire Police did not forget what he had done. '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.' Duncan Burrage, International Liaison Officer for the National Crime Agency, said: 'British paedophiles have gone to Thailand thinking it is a safe haven. It is not. 'This case is another example of our international officers working closely with Thai law enforcement to track down fugitives, making sure they return to the UK to face the consequences of the crimes. 'Richard Burrows spent decades on the run and went to great lengths change his identity and live in Thailand, but he has finally faced justice in the UK.
The Independent
30-04-2025
- The Independent
Paedophile finally jailed after ‘living in paradise' during 27 years on the run
A former scout leader and school housemaster who spent decades evading justice under a stolen identity has been sentenced to 46 years in prison for a series of horrific sexual offences against young boys. Richard Burrows, 81, systematically abused 24 boys across Cheshire, the West Midlands and West Mercia between 1968 and 1995. In emails found after his eventual arrest, Burrows described 'living in paradise' from 1997 after he fled to Thailand. His reign of abuse spanned nearly three decades, targeting vulnerable boys under his care. Burrows's predatory actions finally caught up with him after 27 years on the run. He had been living under an assumed identity, concealing his past and evading the consequences of his crimes. The court heard harrowing details of Burrows's abuse, which left lasting scars on his victims. Earlier that year, he had been charged with a number of historical sex offences and was bailed but failed to attend a plea hearing at Chester Crown Court in December 1997. Attempts to locate him included several police appeals and four Crimewatch appeals on national television. In April 2023, detectives from Cheshire Police 's serious and organised crime unit used specialist software to search for any possible images of Burrows online, which uncovered a match for a man using the name of Peter Smith who was living in Chalong in Phuket, Thailand. After searching through billions of images, the system came back with a match for a man who 'had an active interest in sailing' and previously worked at an advertising firm on the Thai island, where he had even featured in a local news report upon retiring in 2019, according to Cheshire Police. Detectives discovered Burrows had stolen the name from an acquaintance who was terminally ill, which allowed him to fraudulently obtain a genuine passport and leave the country without detection. Plans were under way to extradite him when he flew into Heathrow Airport after he ran out of money and was diagnosed with cancer. Burrows was swiftly arrested on arrival last March. He was charged with further offences in Cheshire, the West Midlands and West Mercia which had been reported after he disappeared. Last month, Burrows was found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court of 54 offences including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to another 43 offences including indecent assault, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children and four counts of possession of false identity documents with intent. His offending in Cheshire took place between 1969 and 1971 while he was employed as a housemaster looking after vulnerable children at Danesford Children's Home in Congleton. His victims in the West Midlands and West Mercia areas were abused between 1968 and 1995, the majority through local Scout groups where Burrows worked as a leader. In each case he befriended the victims by using his position of trust.
Western Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Western Telegraph
Judge tells victims of fugitive paedophile: ‘Only one person to blame'
The Honorary Recorder of Chester, Judge Steven Everett, made the remark at the sentencing hearing of 81-year-old Richard Burrows, who systematically abused 24 young boys across the Cheshire, West Midlands and West Mercia areas between 1968 and 1995. Burrows spent 27 years on the run using a stolen identity as he fled to Thailand after he failed to attend a court hearing at Chester Crown Court in December 1997 to face allegations of child sexual abuse. He was arrested in March last year after he flew to Heathrow Airport when he ran out of money and was suffering from cancer. Richard Burrows was arrested as soon as he landed at Heathrow last March (Cheshire Constabulary/PA) He was charged with further offences which had been reported after he disappeared. Last month, Burrows was found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court of 54 offences including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to another 43 offences including indecent assault, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children and four counts of possession of false identity documents with intent. His offending in Cheshire took place between 1969 and 1971 while he was employed as a housemaster looking after vulnerable children at Danesford Children's Home in Congleton. His victims in the West Midlands and West Mercia areas were abused between 1968 and 1995, the majority through local Scout groups where Burrows worked as a leader. In each case he befriended the victims by using his position of trust. On Tuesday, numerous victim personal statements were read out at Chester Crown Court, including some from the witness box as they faced the perpetrator as he watched on from the dock wearing headphones. One told the court that Burrows had 'stripped away my humanity' after he was taken away to the defendant's tent on his first camping trip with the Scouts and subjected to an eight-hour ordeal. I want to be crystal clear. There is only one person at fault here and he is sitting opposite me in the dock Judge Steven Everett He said he twice attempted to take his own life and felt 'perpetual trauma, shame and despair'. Judge Everett told him: 'You have done nothing to be ashamed of.' Another victim said at the time he hid the abuse from his parents, could not tell any of his friends or trust a grown-up any more. He said: 'I had no-one to turn to and just internalised it all. It totally affected my future relationships and behaviour. 'Even now I keep going through my head: 'Why did you assault me? I looked up to you.'' Judge Everett told him: 'I want to be crystal clear. There is only one person at fault here and he is sitting opposite me in the dock. 'I suspect every single person in the courtroom, bar one, feels totally sorry for you.' The court heard Burrows was dismissed from Danesford Children's Home after one of his victims, who has since died, complained at the time that he had been indecently assaulted. He later told police in 1995 that he thought he was not believed at the time and added: 'I believe deep inside Mr Burrows should be prosecuted and it should have happened a long time ago.' There were tears in front of the jury but they were only tears for himself. As a person he deserves no sympathy whatsoever Judge Steven Everett At trial, Burrows denied all the offences at Danesford as he claimed his change in career path was an effort to do good rather than seek out more victims. Phil Clemo, defending, said: 'Putting it bluntly, whatever sentence your honour passes, he is going to die in prison. 'He spent 27 years in Thailand in a pleasant setting. The reality is his last days will be on the prison estate somewhere. 'He, of course, respects the verdicts of the jury even though he does not agree with it. He does accept on the matters he has always accepted and knows he has caused incredible suffering.' Judge Everett replied: 'I didn't see much of that during the trial. 'He used the truly obnoxious saying 'good and bad paedophiles'. I have a feeling that the jury was repulsed by that. 'His view was that a good paedophile did things which did not harm and a bad one does cause harm. 'That thought process is so warped it is difficult to understand.' Mr Clemo continued: 'There were moments when there were tears, not before the jury…' The judge said: 'There were tears in front of the jury but they were only tears for himself. As a person he deserves no sympathy whatsoever.' Burrows was further remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on Wednesday.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Judge tells victims of fugitive paedophile: ‘Only one person to blame'
A judge has told victims of a paedophile former scout leader and school housemaster that only one person was at fault for the abuse they suffered. The Honorary Recorder of Chester, Judge Steven Everett, made the remark at the sentencing hearing of 81-year-old Richard Burrows, who systematically abused 24 young boys across the Cheshire, West Midlands and West Mercia areas between 1968 and 1995. Burrows spent 27 years on the run using a stolen identity as he fled to Thailand after he failed to attend a court hearing at Chester Crown Court in December 1997 to face allegations of child sexual abuse. Last March he was arrested after he flew to Heathrow airport when he ran out of money. He was charged with further offences which had been reported after he disappeared. Last month, Burrows was found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court of 54 offences including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to another 43 offences including indecent assault, making indecent images of children, possession of indecent images of children and four counts of possession of false identity documents with intent. His offending in Cheshire took place between 1969 and 1971 while he was employed as a housemaster looking after vulnerable children at Danesford Children's Home in Congleton. His victims in the West Midlands and West Mercia areas were abused between 1968 and 1995, the majority through local Scout groups where Burrows worked as a leader. In each case he befriended the victims by using his position of trust. On Tuesday, numerous victim personal statements were read out at Chester Crown Court, including some from the witness box as they faced the perpetrator as he watched on from the dock wearing headphones. One told the court that Burrows had 'stripped away my humanity' after he was taken away to the defendant's tent on his first camping trip with the Scouts and subjected to an eight-hour ordeal. He said he twice attempted to take his own life and felt 'perpetual trauma, shame and despair'. Judge Everett told him: 'You have done nothing to be ashamed of.' Another victim said at the time he hid the abuse from his parents, could not tell any of his friends or trust a grown-up any more. He said: 'I had no-one to turn to and just internalised it all. It totally affected my future relationships and behaviour. 'Even now I keep going through my head: 'Why did you assault me? I looked up to you.'' Judge Everett told him: 'I want to be crystal clear. There is only one person at fault here and he is sitting opposite me in the dock. 'I suspect every single person in the courtroom, bar one, feels totally sorry for you.' The court heard Burrows was dismissed from Danesford Children's Home after one of his victims, who has since died, complained at the time that he had been indecently assaulted. He later told police in 1995 that he thought he was not believed at the time and added: 'I believe deep inside Mr Burrows should be prosecuted and it should have happened a long time ago.' At trial, Burrows denied all the offences at Danesford as he claimed his change in career path was an effort to do good rather than seek out more victims.
