DANIEL BURT FROM BENSON AND WOLVERHAMPTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT RAF BENSON
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Benson and Wolverhampton, Daniel Burt, an RAF sergeant with a history of military service in Afghanistan and Iraq, was involved in a serious sexual assault incident involving a young girl at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.The incident, which took place in 2001, only came to light nearly a decade later, when the victim, now an adult, reported the matter to police in 2010.
According to court proceedings, Burt, who was married at the time, took the girl, aged 13, to a family club where he purchased Bacardi Breezers for her and two other girls.
The prosecutor, Nikki Duncan, detailed that Burt then took the girls to a bed at RAF Benson, where he gave the girl alcohol and proceeded to sexually assault her.
The victim later recounted feeling unwell after consuming the drinks and was taken home to bed.
She pretended to be asleep as Burt, who was intoxicated, entered her room and touched her under the covers, an act that has left a lasting impact on her life.
During the court hearing, Miss Duncan emphasized the gravity of the assault, highlighting that the girl had been vulnerable and that Burt’s actions were a betrayal of trust.
Burt’s defense called upon a family friend to provide a character reference, with the woman describing Burt as a man overwhelmed by guilt and remorse.
She explained that he has been haunted by what happened, suffering from severe depression and even suicidal thoughts, and has struggled to forgive himself for his actions.
At the time of sentencing, Burt, who currently resides at RAF Albrighton in Wolverhampton and remains employed by the Royal Air Force, was handed a 12-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.
The court also ordered him to pay £1,200 in costs, register as a sex offender, and participate in a sex-offender group-work program.
Despite the serious nature of the case, Burt was not required to serve immediate prison time, a decision that has sparked debate and concern among community members and advocacy groups alike.
