A monster who raped both a woman and a child as he terrorised and inflicted pain and torture on his victims has been jailed for 24 years.
Andrew Philip Burrows, 57, wore a grey T-shirt and sat with his arms folded in a dock at Carlisle Crown Court this afternoon as deeply moving statements from his victims were read.
A woman raped by Burrows spoke of his life-changing, horrible and disgusting offending. “I never thought there would be a reason to wish the death penalty on anyone. Now I am not so sure.”
Another victim suffered nightmares and flashbacks following a hellish ordeal, and was left contemplating suicide, saying: “I had so many thoughts of the way I wanted to die that would be as pain-free as possible.”
Another defiantly said they wished to be considered a survivor and not a victim. The sexual offending carried out by Burrows, they said, had been at the hands of a monster.
Burrows, of West Woodburn, near Hexham, was convicted by a jury, unanimously, of 23 offences he had denied following a two-week trial.
He was found guilty of nine charges of rape — one victim being aged under 13. He was also convicted of multiple sexual assaults — some involving children; engaging in sexual activity with — and in the presence of — a child; causing a child to engage in sexual activity; and one charge which Judge Nicholas Barker said involved “sadistic” physical mistreatment including the holding of a gun to the head.
One rape, the judge concluded, was committed as Burrows used drugs and alcohol to facilitate the offence.
In mitigation Judith McCullough, for Burrows, said: “Over the last couple of months, Andrew Burrows has begun to face up to the stark reality of his future.”
She added: “He denies all of the offences but he fully understands the very serious nature of them. Andrew Burrows knows that he must now serve his sentence.”
Judge Barker considered a psychiatric report prepared on Burrows along with the detailed impact statements as he took time to consider his sentence.
Handing down the punishment, the judge concluded Burrows was a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk to the public of committing further specified crimes.
He must serve an extended three-year licence period, and must serve 16 years behind bars before he is considered for release. Burrows must also sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
“You were devious and manipulative for your own ends. Your callousness,” said judge Barker, “is staggering to the point of being evil. You have not shown the slightest sign of remorse for your offending and the impact this has had on your victims.”
