An 'on the run' Birmingham scout leader is on trial after 'fleeing to paradise’

An on-the-run Scout leader accused of child sex offences told police he had been living in “paradise” for 27 years, after being arrested returning from Thailand, a court heard.

Richard Burrows, 80, had fled the UK after being due in court in December 1997, a jury at Chester Crown Court was told.

He told his brother “not all paedophiles are the same”, as he planned his return to the UK in March last year.

Burrows, originally from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, denies four counts of buggery, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of attempted buggery and 47 indecent assaults against 10 complainants aged between nine and 15, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s.

As complainants of sexual offences, none of the victims can be identified.

Mark Connor, opening the case for the prosecution, told the jury of eight women and four men that, over many years, Burrows systematically abused boys with whom he came into contact.

Mr Connor said: “He obtained positions of trust and responsibility which he breached to satisfy himself sexually with the youngsters.”

Burrows had worked as a housemaster at a school in Cheshire in the 1960s, where he allegedly preyed on vulnerable youngsters.

He was also involved in the Scouts as a Scout leader, and was involved in amateur radio clubs.

The jury was told Burrows admits indecent assault and sexual touching of some of the boys in his care.

But he denies abusing other youngsters and any penetrative sexual activity, drawing a distinction between that and sexual touching, which he appears to suggest is justified because in his mind he did no harm, the jury was told.

He claims the complainants in this trial are either mistaken about the identity of the perpetrator or are lying.

Mr Connor said Burrows was first arrested in April 1997 and his house in Birmingham was searched.

A number of magazines showing adolescent and pre-pubescent boys engaged in sex were found stitched inside one of his jackets.

He was charged with child sexual offences and was due to appear at Chester Crown Court on December 8 1997.

When he failed to attend, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Burrows had fled to Thailand using the name Peter Leslie Smith, having cloned an acquaintance’s identity and obtained a passport in that name.

He was arrested at Heathrow Airport when he returned to the UK on the eve of his 80th birthday last March.

“Having enjoyed 27 years in paradise, to quote his description of where he had spent his time on the run,” Mr Connor said.

Police appealed on BBC TV’s Crimewatch programme for information about Burrows, prompting more complainants to come forward.

The trial is expected to last up to five weeks.