ANDREW BURNSIDE FROM HANDSWORTH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCE IN LUTON

In December 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving a registered sex offender from Birmingham who was sentenced to prison for attempting to meet a child for sexual abuse in Luton. The individual, identified as Andrew Burnside, aged 46 and residing on Holly Road in Handsworth, was found guilty of planning and facilitating a child sex offence.

Burnside’s criminal history includes a previous conviction from the year prior, where he was sentenced to a three-year community order after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. Despite this, he continued to engage in online communications with others, which ultimately led to his arrest in Luton.

According to court records, Burnside had made arrangements to travel from Birmingham to Luton with the explicit purpose of abusing a child and a baby. His intent was clear from the communications he exchanged over the internet, which indicated a disturbing premeditation to commit sexual offences against minors.

When Burnside arrived in Luton, law enforcement officers detained him. During the arrest, officers discovered that he was in possession of items that further underscored his malicious intent. Among the items found were children’s tights and a vibrating pen that had been modified, suggesting an attempt to use the device for inappropriate purposes.

Burnside pleaded guilty to charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. His sentencing took place at Luton Crown Court, where he was handed a seven-year extended sentence. This sentence comprises four years of imprisonment, followed by an additional three years on extended licence, which is designed to monitor and restrict his activities after release.

Furthermore, Burnside will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and whereabouts. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online and offline child exploitation, and the serious consequences faced by those who attempt to commit such heinous acts.