SIMON BURROWS SHOCKS HILPERTON AND ROSS-ON-WYE WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ABUSE CASES

In May 2014, Simon Burrows, a man with a deeply troubling criminal history, was at the center of a disturbing case involving child exploitation and possession of indecent images. Burrows, aged 51, who had previously served a lengthy prison sentence for heinous crimes against young children, was found to have extreme pornography stored on his laptop while he was on parole. Despite his past, he was ultimately given a conditional discharge, sparking concern and outrage within the community.

Burrows’ criminal record is extensive and horrifying. In 2008, he was sentenced to an indefinite term for a series of sex offenses committed against children at a nursery in Steeple Ashton, which he operated alongside his then-wife. The charges included sexual assault, taking indecent photographs, and voyeurism involving young victims aged between two and nine years old. Police investigations revealed that Burrows had set up a camera to secretly film teenage exchange students in the bathroom, and his computer contained a staggering 3,626 indecent images and 180 videos of children, many classified in the most severe categories of abuse. A forensic expert described the collection as among the worst he had encountered in his decade-long career.

Following his arrest, police uncovered that Burrows had also been involved in abusing children during lifts in his car and had exploited his position at the nursery to commit these crimes. The victims included boys and girls, and the abuse took place both at the nursery and in private settings. The severity of his offenses led to a life sentence, with an initial minimum term of four years, later reduced to three and a half years on appeal. Despite this, Burrows was released on parole in 2011, but his freedom was short-lived.

In 2012, Burrows was returned to custody after a probation officer discovered that he possessed two vile images on his computer during a routine check. The laptop had been handed back to him after his release, but a monitoring device installed to track his computer use malfunctioned. When his offender manager examined the device, the illicit images were found. Burrows claimed he did not place the images there and argued that police had not properly cleaned the device when it was seized, a claim that prosecutors contested. The court was informed that records from 2007, which could have clarified whether illicit material was returned to him, had been destroyed, leaving the authorities unable to confirm whether he had illicit images in his possession.

During the hearing at Swindon Crown Court, the prosecution requested that the hard drive be destroyed to prevent similar issues in the future. The defense, represented by Derek Perry, asked for the device to be returned if it was properly cleaned and if the police agreed. Judge Douglas Field indicated that the device could be returned to Burrows if the police confirmed it had been properly sanitized and if the probation service approved. The court also heard that Burrows had been subject to a Sexual Offence Prevention Order (SOPO) following his release, which restricted his internet use and contact with children, but he successfully petitioned to have this order lifted after he was released from prison.

Burrows’ case has continued to draw attention due to the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concerns about his potential risk to the community. His history of abusing children, combined with possession of extreme pornography, underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and strict legal measures to prevent further harm. The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a predatory past, especially those who have served time but continue to pose a threat to vulnerable populations.