BASIL BURTON GUILTY OF SEX ABUSE IN FERNDOWN AND DORSET COUNTY

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Basil Burton, a man with a long history of public service in Dorset, has been found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls. The incidents occurred in different periods, with the first taking place in the mid-1960s and the second in the late 2000s, highlighting a disturbing pattern of misconduct that persisted over many years.

Burton, who previously served as a gypsy liaison officer for Dorset County Council, was convicted at Southampton Crown Court on multiple charges. The court found him guilty of two counts of indecency with a child and one count of sexually assaulting a second girl, both of whom were under the age of 13 at the time of the offenses. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of his actions, which spanned different decades and involved separate victims.

Burton, residing at Dugdell Close in Ferndown, was sentenced by Judge Peter Henry. The judge handed down a sentence of 15 months for the two counts of indecency and an additional six months for the sexual assault, with all terms to run concurrently. However, recognizing the seriousness of the crimes and Burton’s health condition, the judge suspended the entire sentence for two years. This means Burton will not serve time in prison unless he commits further offenses during this period.

Furthermore, Judge Henry ordered Burton to be under supervision by the probation service for the next 12 months, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct. The court was informed that Burton is battling prostate cancer but has refused treatment, raising concerns about his health and the potential impact on his rehabilitation and supervision.

During the hearing, it was noted that Burton is a former firefighter and also served as the head of the National Romany Rights Association. Despite his previous roles in public service, his actions have now cast a shadow over his reputation. The court was told that Burton continues to deny any guilt, which disqualifies him from participating in sex offender treatment programs. The judge explained that if Burton were to be jailed for a short period, he would likely be released without supervision due to his denial of guilt.

Judge Henry emphasized that the suspension of Burton’s sentence was a measure to prevent further offenses, but he made it clear that any future misconduct could lead to the imposition of the original sentence or other penalties. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing crimes against vulnerable children, regardless of the offender’s background or previous service to the community.