Richard Burrows arrested in UK after 27 years evading justice

A man named Richard Burrows was captured after spending 27 years on the run. He fled to Thailand to avoid facing multiple charges of child sex abuse in the UK. Burrows, who used a fake identity, obtained a genuine passport in 1997 by stealing the identity of a dying friend. Living in Thailand under the name Peter Smith, Burrows worked in advertising and had a passion for sailing. In April 2023, advanced facial recognition software linked a photo of him to his real identity. Police in the UK confirmed it was Burrows and began the extradition process. Before he could be formally extradited, Burrows intended to return to the UK, and authorities in Thailand were alerted. He was arrested upon landing at Heathrow Airport. On March 17, 2025, he was found guilty of 54 offences at Chester Crown Court, bringing his total charges to 97. Burrows abused 26 boys between 1968 and 1995 while holding positions of trust. Many victims hesitated to come forward due to fear of disbelief. Following a major investigation launched in 1994, some victims found courage to speak out. Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson, who led the investigation, expressed relief at the verdict. She emphasized Burrows's cowardice in fleeing and noted that many victims have struggled with the impact of his actions. Some of these victims have since died without seeing justice served. Atkinson hopes this case sends a strong message that authorities will pursue offenders relentlessly, regardless of how long they hide. Burrows is remanded in custody and will be sentenced on April 7, 2025.