Paedophile Richard Burrows jailed for near 30-year period of abuse
He's been sentenced for close to 100 offences between the 60's and 90's
Last updated 30th Apr 2025
A man who abused over 20 young boys across different parts of the country, has been jailed for 46 years.
81-year-old Richard Burrows, who's originally from Birmingham committed the offences over a near 30 year period, between 1968 and 1995, across the Cheshire, West Midlands and West Mercia areas.
He 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.
Burrows admitted 43 offences, but was then found guilty of 54 more - bring the total number to almost 100.
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 day one of his sentencing 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 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.
The judge told all of them that only one person was at fault for the abuse they suffered - Burrows himself.
Judge Everett said:
"I want to be crystal clear. There is only one person at fault here and he is sitting opposite me in the dock."
At Chester Crown Court today (Wednesday 30th April) - passing an extended sentence, with an additional one-year period on licence, the Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett told Burrows: "I recognise you will not be released.
"You are a despicable man. You have ruined countless lives.
"These serious sexual assaults were committed by you because you are a predator. You deliberately positioned yourself among groups and communities to get closer to them, and to groom and sexually abuse young boys."
He said it was "one of the most, if not the most serious" case of its kind he had dealt with as a judge.
Judge Everett went on to tell Burrows:
"I have no doubt that you were never going to come back (to the UK) had you not run out of money and suffered ill-health with cancer, albeit not terminal - presumably because you were not going to get treatment abroad.
"I have seen no remorse in your behaviour.
"I recall only too well that when you were interviewed by the police, you did not admit a single thing.
"You just lied through the back of your teeth because you knew what you did.
"I see you nodding. Too late now."
Burrows stared ahead blankly throughout the sentencing before he was led from the dock.
After the defendant left the courtroom, Judge Everett told some of the victims present: "I hope that you will find some peace."
Burrows has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson from Cheshire Police, who led the investigation, said:
“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, 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.
“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.”
Samantha Thompson from the Crown Prosecution Service said:
“I’m pleased that many of Richard Burrows’s victims were in court today to see their abuser get justice.
“He will very likely never leave prison.
“Burrows is an unrepentant paedophile who used his position of trust to sexually abuse boys over three decades. When faced with a trial and public exposure he fled to Thailand.
“His victims suffered horrendous abuse made worse by many of them not being able to tell anyone for fear that they would not be believed. This was borne out in some cases, where boys did speak up but were dismissed, and Burrows was able to move on.
“But this case shows that neither the police nor the CPS are deterred by the passage of time, and we will do all we can to bring sex offenders to justice.
“There is more support available for victims than ever before and I encourage anyone who has ever been abused to go to the police.”