MICHAEL BURCH FROM THATCHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND ABUSE IMAGES IN READING

In September 2016, a disturbing revelation emerged about Michael Burch, a man who had long been regarded as a reputable figure within the community of Thatcham. Behind the facade of a successful businessman and a locally known musician, Burch concealed a deeply disturbing secret that would eventually lead to his downfall.

Michael Burch, aged 70, had cultivated an image of respectability over the years, earning admiration from friends, family, and acquaintances. His background included service in the Navy, and he was known to perform as a guitarist and singer at various local events in Thatcham. However, beneath this veneer of civility and talent lay a dark history of predatory behavior involving children.

The gravity of his crimes was laid bare in Reading Crown Court, where Burch faced justice for a series of heinous acts. The court heard that he had coerced two young girls into engaging in sexual acts with him, with these offenses occurring several years apart. The youngest victim was just nine years old, and the other was 11. The prosecuting attorney, Ruth Zentler-Munro, described the circumstances as horrific, emphasizing that Burch had attempted to shift blame onto one of the victims, claiming she had led him to commit these acts.

Victims' statements read aloud in court painted a harrowing picture of the emotional and psychological scars left behind. One girl expressed her inability to trust men and described herself as remaining “terrified” of what had happened. The other victim expressed feelings of sickness, foolishness, and regret, believing she had been naive and blaming herself for the abuse she endured. These testimonies underscored the profound impact of Burch’s actions on their young lives.

Further compounding his crimes, police executed a raid on Burch’s residence in Simmons Field, Thatcham. During the search, authorities uncovered an extensive collection of nearly 2,000 child sexual abuse images and videos. The material included some of the most severe forms of abuse, depicting children in pain and distress, which the judge described as being at the “worst end of the scale.”

In court, Burch admitted to two counts of indecently assaulting a child and possessing a significant number of child abuse images. His defense lawyer, Sarah Ellis, highlighted that Burch had previously enjoyed an “impeccable” reputation in Thatcham and that many of his friends had distanced themselves following the revelations. She presented character references from individuals such as David Judge, Anthony Skinner, and Katherine Hutchings, who had stood by him.

Ms. Ellis expressed her client’s remorse, stating, “This is a tragedy for his family, his friends, and for him. He now has a besmirched character of the highest order. It’s not the legacy he wished to leave. He was very successful in business but admits he is a flawed man and is deeply remorseful. He bitterly regrets these offences.”

After a period of reflection, Judge Angela Morris delivered her sentencing. She acknowledged Burch’s previous reputation, describing him as “a man of good – one might say impeccable – character,” but emphasized that his hidden actions had long remained undetected. The judge pointed out that the indecent images found on his computer were evidence of a disturbing sexual interest in young girls.

Despite pleas from Ms. Ellis for a suspended sentence, Judge Morris made it clear that the severity of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence. Burch was sentenced to four years in prison, with the judge’s final words echoing through the courtroom: “Take him down.” The case served as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind a seemingly respectable exterior, especially within close-knit communities like Thatcham.