MARIAN BURLAN FROM LONG HANBOROUGH CAUGHT WITH THOUSANDS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES IN OXFORD

In December 2022, Marian Burlan, a man previously residing in Long Hanborough, was at the center of a disturbing investigation involving the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The case revealed a deeply troubling pattern of criminal behavior that spanned several years, with authorities uncovering an extensive collection of illicit material stored on his digital devices.

Police authorities initially seized Burlan’s computers and hard drives in 2020, discovering a staggering total of over 82,000 images and videos, many of which depicted the most severe forms of child abuse. The digital files were initially categorized, with 3,221 files identified as containing explicit content involving children. Among these, 1,236 images and videos were classified as the most severe, including depictions of child rape and sexual assault. The remaining material fell into less severe categories, but the sheer volume of illicit content was alarming.

Further investigation revealed that Burlan, a 59-year-old Romanian national, had stored some of these files on internet-based cloud storage services, ostensibly to keep the material safe from detection. Police reports indicated that he did not share his collection with other offenders but maintained access to it privately. The children depicted in the images ranged from as young as one year old to children estimated to be between six and eight years old, with some images showing children in distressing and explicit situations.

On February 23, 2022, police officers visited Burlan’s bedsit in Oxford after learning he had been hospitalized the previous month following a heart attack. The landlords, who lived next door, allowed detectives entry into the premises. During the search, authorities seized multiple digital devices, seven of which contained indecent images and videos of children. The investigation uncovered that Burlan had installed software designed to mask his internet activity and delete files, indicating an attempt to conceal his illicit activities.

At the time of the raid, Burlan was not present, but he was later brought before Oxford Crown Court to face charges. Prosecutor Christopher Pembridge detailed that the police found a significant amount of child abuse material on his devices, including videos and images of children as young as one year old. The investigation also revealed that Burlan had a collection of nearly 50,000 images and videos, which he had accessed since 2008, despite only arriving in the UK from Romania in 2018 in search of better employment opportunities.

Earlier in the year, Burlan had pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography, including material depicting bestiality. He was also found to have breached a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in August by possessing a mobile phone that was not registered with the police. His breaches included acquiring a smartphone and using two virtual private network (VPN) applications to hide his online activity.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Maria Lamb highlighted the aggravating features of Burlan’s case, emphasizing the young age of the children involved and the efforts he made to conceal his activities. She noted that the images included both still photographs and moving footage, with some files showing children in sexual acts. Burlan was sentenced to two years in prison, a sentence to run concurrently with his current incarceration, and was ordered to remain under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

His criminal history also includes a previous incident in June 2022, when he was caught with a stash of nearly 50,000 indecent images after returning a laptop to a repair shop. Technicians at eFix Computers discovered a child abuse image as his screensaver, prompting further investigation. Police seized additional devices and found notepads listing websites hosting illegal material. Despite the volume of evidence, Burlan avoided immediate imprisonment at that time, receiving a suspended sentence.

In September 2022, Burlan was again in court for breaching his court order that prohibited him from possessing unregistered digital devices. He admitted to acquiring a smartphone and using VPN apps, which led to his remand in custody until September 23, when his sentencing was adjourned due to technical issues and the absence of a Romanian interpreter. Burlan appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit and only confirmed his name during the hearing.

Throughout these proceedings, the court and authorities expressed concern over Burlan’s continued access to and possession of child abuse material. The case underscores the ongoing challenge law enforcement faces in tackling online child exploitation, especially when offenders take measures to conceal their activities. Burlan remains under strict legal restrictions, including the ongoing sexual harm prevention order, and continues to serve his sentence for his crimes.