Richard Burrows, an 80-year-old serial sex offender who spent nearly three decades evading justice by living under a stolen identity, has been found guilty of 54 child sexual abuse offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday, March 17, 2025. The verdict follows earlier guilty pleas to 43 additional charges, bringing his total number of convictions to 97.
Burrows, currently held at HMP Altcourse, is set to be sentenced on April 7 for his crimes, which span from 1968 to 1995 and involved the abuse of at least 26 boys across Cheshire, the West Midlands, and West Mercia.
A Predatory Pattern Hidden Behind Trust
The court heard harrowing accounts of how Burrows leveraged roles of authority and trust—most notably as a Housemaster at Danesford Children’s Home in Congleton and as a Scout leader—to exploit vulnerable boys. He groomed his victims by taking interest in their hobbies, from radio communications to boating, and even gained the trust of their families.
“Burrows’ actions were calculated, predatory, and devastating,” said Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson of Cheshire Police. “He abused his positions of authority and left a lifelong impact on the survivors.”
Delayed Justice and a Global Manhunt
Although Burrows was arrested in 1997 following early allegations and charged shortly thereafter, he disappeared before trial, triggering a 27-year international manhunt. Investigators later discovered he had assumed the identity of Peter Smith, a terminally ill acquaintance, securing a genuine passport and fleeing to Thailand.
While in hiding, Burrows lived in Phuket under his false identity, working in advertising and even appearing in a 2019 local news article upon his retirement. In emails uncovered after his capture, he chillingly described his time abroad as “living in paradise.”
High-Tech Breakthrough Ends Decades of Evasion
The turning point in the case came in April 2023, when detectives from Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit used advanced facial recognition software to sift through billions of online images. A match to the long-missing Burrows—posing as Peter Smith—triggered a coordinated international response. With support from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Thai authorities, Burrows was finally arrested when he returned to the UK via Heathrow Airport.
Calls for Institutional Accountability
The case has also renewed scrutiny over historical safeguarding failures. A 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report, cited during the trial, revealed that poor oversight and weak accountability structures in institutions like Danesford Children’s Home enabled predators like Burrows to operate without detection.
A Message to Survivors
Cheshire Police continue to urge survivors of historical abuse to come forward.
“No matter how long ago it happened, we will investigate thoroughly and support you throughout,” said DI Atkinson.
The force emphasized that all victims will be treated with dignity and offered anonymity, adding that today’s verdict sends a powerful message: justice can still be served, even decades later.
What Happens Next
Burrows’ sentencing on April 7 is expected to result in a significant custodial term, with his case now considered one of the most prolific child abuse convictions in UK legal history.
For support, survivors can contact NAPAC (0808 801 0331) or visit www.napac.org.uk.
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If you’ve been affected by this story or are a survivor of abuse, confidential help and support is available.
