London Pedo jailed for 32 year
A man from southeast London has been jailed for multiple sexual offences committed over a 20-year period. Steven Burt, 61 of Plumstead, Greenwich was jailed for a total of 32 years and six months at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 20 April. He also got ordered to pay four victims £15,000 each and two other victims £1,000 each. The judge commended retired police officer Nikki Honey and PC Gemma Major for their care and skill in this case. Burt was found guilty of the following 33 offences, relating to two male and four female victims, who were all known to him, at the conclusion of a ten-day trial at the same court on 15 March: – 14 counts of indecent assault on a male child; – Two counts of buggery of a male; – Four counts of buggery of a female; – Eight counts of indecent assault on a female; – Two counts of indecency with a child; – Two counts of sexual intercourse with a child; – One count on actual bodily harm. At an earlier hearing on 27 February at Isleworth Crown Court, Burt pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful intercourse with a child in 1980. Detective Constable Gemma Major, from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) Command, said: “The victims have lived with these experiences since they were children and these memories have haunted them for their entire lives. This has left them with numerous health and mental health issues, which have impacted upon relationships and their day-to-day lives. “Burt is a prolific offender who, over a significant period of time, abused young children. I am grateful that they have since come forward so that we could take the necessary action to bring him before the courts. “I would like to take this opportunity to praise their bravery and resolve, and hope that today will further help them move on with their lives, knowing that Burt has been punished for his crimes. “Given the number of victims and offences that Burt has been convicted of, it cannot be ruled out that there are other victims who have yet to contact police. “I would urge anyone who has been abused by Steven Burt to come forward and speak to police where you will be supported by specially trained officers.” One of Burt’s victims first contacted police in 2014. Burt had abused him since the age of eight and this continued into his teens. As a result of this investigation, five other victims were identified. The offences took place in Feltham and Plumstead. The children were aged between six and 13 when they were abused by Burt. Burt was arrested in November 2014 and subsequently charged on 29 June 2017. A female victim, said: “When I was abused, it changed my life. I have never been so scared. This continued for years. I was so scared of the abuser carrying out all the threats he made. I was scared people would blame me, that this was my fault. “I was ashamed. I believed him when he said no one would believe me, that people would think I was dirty and sordid. I believed that I was wrong and should have stopped it. I carried this dark secret with me, whilst trying to get on with my life, but it was always there. “I was not to blame, I am not dirty, and it was not my fault. I am strong and brave and a survivor. Talking to the police for the first time was so hard but strangely therapeutic. For the first time my dark secret was no longer secret. All my fears did not happen, I was believed and I was treated with such kindness. I am now so happy, I am not living in fear, I am free. I am loving life for the first time since he hurt me. I no longer have a dark secret. I do have a past, but now I look forward. “Secrecy it what abusers use to continue their despicable behaviour. Secrecy is their weapon. When you speak out, you start to take away their weapon. I can’t say it has been easy, anything but. However, I do not regret speaking out. All I can say is if you have been abused, please speak out, please get support, and please help stop this happening to someone else. Enough is enough.” If you have been a victim of Burt, please contact the Met’s Sexual Exploitation Team on 101 – specially trained officers are there to support you. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
