Paedophile Who Fled to Thailand Sentenced for 97 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A 80-year-old paedophile who spent almost three decades on the run has been sentenced for 97 child sex abuse charges. Richard Burrows had fled to Thailand and changed his identity, but was eventually caught and returned to the UK in 2024 after running out of money.
According to reports from the BBC, Burrows was convicted of the "horrific sexual abuse of 24 young boys, some of whom were particularly vulnerable", while the defendant was in a "position of power and trust." The offences, which spanned from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, included the abuse of young boys at scout camps and activities in Sutton Coldfield and Ross-on-Wye.
At the sentencing hearing at Chester Crown Court, some victims read out impact statements, while others were read out for them by the prosecution. Two of his victims said they had previously tried to commit suicide. One victim said his childhood was "completely and permanently destroyed" by Burrows, having been drugged and raped in a tent over a 12-hour period.
"I was drugged by him for 12 hours over the course of the night and raped," the victim said. "What was left of me as a child was taken away by Burrows." The victim also told the court that he had twice tried to commit suicide and had been diagnosed with complex PTSD.
Another victim, James Harvey, who waived his legal right to anonymity, told the court he was abused by Burrows in a caravan at night. The attacks took place at an airshow at Baginton Aerodrome, later known as Coventry Airport, after Harvey had met Burrows while he was a sea scout in Walsall.
"You had so many qualities that could have been put to good, but you used every single one for evil purposes," Harvey said in court, addressing Burrows. "You have been proven to be a paedophile – you have to accept that today."
A third victim’s statement was read to the court by the prosecution, on behalf of a man who was repeatedly raped by Burrows at Danesford Approved School when he was 12, between 1969 and 1971. The victim contracted a sexually transmitted infection from Burrows and said he still remembered the abuse vividly.
"My health seems to be getting worse by the day," the victim said. "I’m alcohol-dependent and I put this down to what happened. I wouldn’t be like this if it wasn’t for him."
The BBC reports that Judge Steven Everett told the court that the victims had done nothing to be ashamed of, and that the shame was Burrows’ alone. Mark Connor KC, prosecuting, said Burrows’ offending "spanned from the mid 60s to the mid 90s, before he was arrested almost 28 years ago."
Burrows had fled to Thailand where he spent many years enjoying his life, creating a false ID and indulging in his passion for sailing. However, he was eventually caught and returned to the UK in 2024 after running out of money. The BBC notes that Burrows’ successful evasion from justice for such a long time has caused unnecessary harm to the victims, deepening the psychological harm he’s responsible for.
In a statement, the BBC said that Burrows had been convicted of 50 more offences, in addition to the 47 sex abuse charges he had already admitted to. The 80-year-old paedophile has been sentenced for a total of 97 child sex abuse charges.
