MARK BURRISON FROM CHAFFORD HUNDRED SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING SCHOOLGIRLS IN ESSEX

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators targeting vulnerable minors, Mark Burrisson, aged 43 and residing in Chafford Hundred, was convicted of serious offenses related to the possession of indecent images and attempts to incite sexual activity among young girls. The case came to light after a thorough investigation by Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team (POLIT), which uncovered disturbing evidence of Burrisson’s online predatory behavior.

In February 2016, officers executed a warrant at Burrisson’s residence on Fenton Road in Chafford Hundred. During the search, they seized his computers and digital devices, which revealed a troubling collection of 182 indecent images of children. The investigators also reviewed hundreds of chat logs from Skype, where Burrisson had engaged in conversations with young girls, some as young as 11 and as old as 15. These chats showed that Burrisson had posed as celebrities to lure his victims, convincing them to send explicit photographs and perform sexual acts over the internet.

The police investigation identified a total of 11 girls who had been targeted by Burrisson. The charges brought against him included 11 counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of possessing or creating indecent photographs of children, one count of possession of prohibited images of children, and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images. Despite denying the allegations, Burrisson faced a trial at Basildon Crown Court, which commenced on March 13, 2018, and concluded on March 21, 2018.

On the final day of the trial, a jury found Burrisson guilty on all counts. The court subsequently sentenced him to a total of two years in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, Burrisson was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will restrict his activities for the next ten years. Furthermore, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from potential future offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding minors from online predators. The authorities continue to emphasize the need for parents and guardians to be aware of the risks associated with internet use and to report any suspicious activity involving minors.