Richard Burrows, an 81-year-old man, is set to receive his sentence at Chester Crown Court today for committing numerous sexual offences against young boys. The judge has indicated that Burrows may never be released, considering the gravity of his crimes. Burrows spent 27 years evading the law in Thailand, where he enjoyed what he described as “paradise” after fleeing the UK in 1997 by stealing a friend’s identity.
After being on the run for nearly three decades, Burrows was finally apprehended upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport in March last year. During his trial, it was revealed that Burrows had abused boys over a span of several decades, starting in the 1960s and continuing until the mid-1990s. He held positions of authority, including that of a housemaster at a school for troubled boys, and used his influence to prey on vulnerable youngsters he met through amateur radio clubs.
One of Burrows’s victims, who was just 14 years old at the time of the assault in the late 1960s and is now 71, spoke to Sky News about his experience. He expressed regret for not speaking out about the abuse sooner, believing that it could have potentially prevented others from becoming victims as well. The man described Burrows as a “devious, nasty creature” and shared that coming forward has provided him with a sense of relief after carrying the burden for over five decades.
The victim attended Burrows’s trial and delivered a statement detailing the impact of the abuse on his life. He explained that feelings of shame, embarrassment, and guilt prevented him from reporting the assault at the time. However, he eventually contacted the authorities after seeing an appeal for information on Burrows on a television program in 2011. Despite the long delay in Burrows’s arrest, the victim expressed his resentment towards the perpetrator for the years of suffering he caused while evading justice.
Burrows managed to evade capture for so long by assuming a false identity and living under the radar in Thailand. He was initially charged in 1997 but absconded before his court hearing, remaining a fugitive until modern facial recognition technology helped authorities identify him. The man whose identity Burrows stole to obtain a passport was terminally ill, adding another layer of deceit to Burrows’s criminal actions.
Throughout the trial, it became evident that Burrows’s crimes may have impacted more individuals than those who have come forward. The earliest known victim believes that there are likely other survivors who have yet to share their experiences. Despite being the first victim listed in the indictment, he suspects that Burrows had honed his predatory behavior long before their encounter.
In March, Burrows was convicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse, prompting the judge to emphasize the profound trauma inflicted on the victims and their families. Judge Steven Everett condemned Burrows for the distress he caused and acknowledged the long-lasting effects of his actions.
As Burrows awaits his sentencing, the survivors of his abuse continue to grapple with the aftermath of their traumatic experiences. The courage of those who have come forward serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against perpetrators of such heinous crimes. The impact of Burrows’s actions extends far beyond his individual victims, highlighting the need for accountability and justice in cases of sexual abuse.
