ANDREW BURROWS FROM LYMINGTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL OFFENCES IN CARLISLE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, Andrew Philip Burrows, a 57-year-old man from West Woodburn near Hexham, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court for a series of heinous sexual crimes committed in and around Lymington. The court heard how Burrows inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering on his victims, including a woman and a child, through acts of rape, assault, and sadistic physical mistreatment.

During the proceedings, Burrows sat quietly in the dock, dressed in a grey T-shirt, with his arms folded as emotionally charged statements from his victims were read aloud. The victims described the profound and lasting impact of his actions, with one woman describing his offending as “life-changing, horrible, disgusting.” She expressed her anguish, stating, “I never thought there would be a reason to wish the death penalty on anyone. Now I am not so sure.”

Another victim recounted suffering from nightmares and flashbacks following what they described as a “hellish” ordeal. They revealed that the trauma was so severe that they contemplated suicide, confessing, “I had so many thoughts of the way I wanted to die that would be as pain-free as possible.” A different individual, resilient in their stance, declared their intention to be recognized as a “survivor” rather than a victim, emphasizing that Burrows’ sexual offenses had been carried out by “a monster.”

Burrows was convicted by a jury after a rigorous two-week trial, during which he denied all 23 charges brought against him. The jury’s unanimous verdict found him guilty of nine counts of rape, including one involving a victim under the age of 13. His convictions also included multiple sexual assaults, some involving children, as well as engaging in sexual activities with and in the presence of a child. One particularly disturbing charge involved Burrows causing a child to participate in sexual activity, while another detailed an incident where he held a gun to a victim’s head in a sadistic act of physical mistreatment.

Judge Nicholas Barker highlighted that one of the rapes was committed while Burrows was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which he used to facilitate the offence. The judge described Burrows as a dangerous offender, emphasizing the significant risk he posed to the public of reoffending. As part of his sentence, Burrows was ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison before being considered for parole. Additionally, he will be subject to an extended three-year licence period and must register as a sex offender for life.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Barker condemned Burrows’ manipulative and callous behavior, describing it as “staggering to the point of being evil.” He further stated, “You have not shown the slightest sign of remorse for your offending and the impact this has had on your victims,” underscoring the severity of the crimes and the lasting damage inflicted by Burrows’ actions.