R v Richard Burrows
Mark Connor led Jemma Gordon in prosecuting a paedophile who spent 27 years on the run in Thailand after stealing another man’s identity.
Richard Burrows was found guilty of 97 offences, including dozens of historical child sexual abuse offences. He had previously admitted to 43 of the charges and denied 54 others, but was convicted at Chester Crown Court on Monday 17th March. He will be sentenced on 7th April.
Burrows was arrested at Heathrow Airport on his return from Thailand last year, on the eve of his 80th birthday. He was first arrested in 1997 but failed to appear for trial. In 2023 it was discovered he had travelled to Thailand having stolen the identity of an acquaintance who was terminally ill.
Philip Clemo, leading Alexandra Carrier, represented the defendant. They were instructed by Stevens Defence.
This case was reported on the BBC, Sky News, Daily Express, Guardian, and other various news outlets.
