MICHAEL BURTON FROM SHEPSHED SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRL IN THE 1960S

In October 2017, a man from Shepshed named Michael Victor Burton was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl over five decades ago. The case, which was brought to light through a jury’s verdict, revealed a disturbing history of multiple assaults committed against a schoolgirl starting when she was just eight years old, during Burton’s teenage years as a college student.

Michael Burton, who resides on Linley Avenue in Shepshed, had maintained a seemingly respectable life throughout his adulthood. However, the court was told that the offences he committed against the vulnerable young girl were utterly unforgivable. The sentencing took place at Leicester Crown Court, where Deputy Judge Michael Stokes QC addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity and the long-lasting impact of Burton’s actions.

Judge Stokes acknowledged that the offences dated back to the 1960s, when Burton was a teenager over the age of 18. Despite the significant passage of time, the judge highlighted the difficulty in sentencing such cases, balancing the seriousness of the crimes against the defendant’s age and subsequent conduct. The judge stated, “These offences go back a considerable number of years, right back into the 1960s when you were yourself a teenager, although over 18, when two serious sex offences were committed.”

He further explained that the victim, who was under ten at the time, endured persistent indecency, which she likely did not fully understand at the time. As she grew older, she became aware of the abuse inflicted upon her. The judge described the damage caused by such sexual abuse as incalculable, emphasizing that the trauma had haunted her for fifty years. “The damage that is done to individuals who are subjected to this sort of sexual abuse is incalculable,” he said, adding that the victim’s suffering had persisted for decades.

Judge Stokes pointed out that Burton, now aged 70, had led a life of apparent uprightness after the offences. He noted that Burton had married, had children, and was described in references as a different individual altogether. The court considered whether it was appropriate to punish Burton for crimes committed so long ago, acknowledging that if these offences had occurred recently, the sentence would likely be in double digits. Nonetheless, the judge stressed the importance of considering the passage of time, Burton’s maturity at the time of the offences, and his positive character since.

He also highlighted the vulnerability of the young victim, who was only eight or nine when the abuse began, with the initial acts possibly starting even earlier. The abuse involved a gradual escalation from touching and kissing to more serious acts, which is particularly unforgivable given her young age. Burton, who denied the allegations, was informed that he would serve approximately half of his sentence in prison, with the remainder on licence. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Prosecutor Robert Underwood presented a victim personal statement, revealing that the complainant had waited fifty years for justice. The statement described how the abuse had significantly affected her life, stating, “It’s held me back from enjoying my life as I should have been able to with confidence and self-worth.” He added that the trauma had cast a shadow over her entire adult life, with her describing the impact as having a “drastic effect” and expressing that “the anguish I’ve had of living with this won’t go away any time soon, if ever.”

The court also heard that Burton had told the young girl, “This is our secret. If you tell anybody you won’t be believed and you’ll be in trouble,” which further underscores the manipulative nature of his actions during the time of the offences.

In total, Burton was convicted on seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of serious sex offences, all committed during the 1960s. The case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting scars of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of justice, regardless of the passage of time.