PAUL BURNIP FROM WINGATE CAUGHT EXPOSED IN PUBLIC PARK NEAR EASINGTON VILLAGE

In July 2019, a disturbing incident occurred involving Paul Burnip, a resident of Wingate, who was caught engaging in inappropriate behavior in a public park near Easington Village. The incident came to light when a group of young boys witnessed Burnip performing a sexual act in the park, an area close to his home. According to court reports, the boys saw Burnip dropping a pornographic magazine he was holding before fleeing the scene in a hurried manner.

The incident was reported to authorities, but it took nearly a decade before Burnip was apprehended. It was only after one of the boys made additional allegations against him that he was finally arrested. Despite the new allegations, Burnip was ultimately acquitted of those charges. The case was brought before Durham Crown Court, where prosecutor Sean Dodds provided details of the incident.

Mr. Dodds explained that Burnip was observed in a park near his residence in Easington Village at the time of the incident. The boys, who recognized him as the local gravedigger, provided accounts that varied slightly but were consistent in describing what they saw. Some of the boys may have been riding bicycles during the incident, but their descriptions of Burnip’s actions remained largely aligned.

Burnip, aged 53 and residing on Snaith Terrace in Wingate, denied the charge of indecency with a child. However, after a trial, the court found him guilty of the offence. The presiding judge, Mr. Ian Atherton, sentenced Burnip to 12 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months. Additionally, Burnip was subjected to a three-month curfew and ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities.

During sentencing, Mr. Atherton stated that he believed the accounts of the boys and had no hesitation in accepting their testimonies. He emphasized that none of the witnesses had any motive to lie, noting that some had come forward independently after losing contact with each other. The judge also acknowledged Burnip’s wife’s serious health condition, which influenced the decision to suspend the immediate custody. As part of his sentence, Burnip is required to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years, reflecting the severity of the conviction and the court’s concern for public safety.