THOMAS BURTON OF MIDDLETON AND ROCHDALE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE, BECOMES UK'S OLDEST JAIL INMATE

In a landmark case that has captured national attention, 88-year-old Thomas Burton, a resident of Middleton, Rochdale, has been sentenced to prison after admitting to the sexual abuse of two sisters over four decades ago. Burton, who is wheelchair-bound, has now become the oldest individual in the United Kingdom to be incarcerated for such offenses.

Details of the case reveal that Burton, a self-employed builder, committed acts of molestation against the two sisters during the years between 1962 and 1968, when they were both under the age of 11. The abuse was not disclosed to anyone at the time, and the sisters initially remained unaware of each other's experiences. It was only during a casual conversation in 1992 that the elder sister learned of her younger sibling's suffering, sparking a series of events that would eventually lead to justice.

The elder sister recounted that societal norms at the time made it difficult to speak out about such abuse. She stated, 'Times were different then. If an adult told you to do something you did it. Talking about child abuse was taboo.' She further explained that her discovery of her sister's abuse prompted her to confront Burton directly. She traveled from her home to Manchester, where Burton resided, to face him. During this confrontation, Burton dismissed her concerns, claiming it was '40 years ago' and questioning why she was bringing it up now.

Despite her efforts, the police initially declined to take action, citing insufficient evidence and the passage of time. The elder sister expressed her frustration, saying, 'The police took a statement from me but later said they could not do anything with the case, so I thought I was sunk.' Her sister, who also felt unable to make a formal complaint at the time, shared her own feelings of helplessness.

It was not until 2008 that both sisters decided to jointly pursue legal action against Burton. This renewed effort prompted a police investigation, leading to Burton's arrest and subsequent charges of three sex offenses. Burton pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, resulting in an eight-month sentence for each charge, to be served concurrently. Additionally, he admitted to gross indecency with a child under 13, which earned him a 16-month prison term.

Judge William Morris of Bolton Crown Court ordered that seven alleged offenses against one of the sisters be formally dismissed and left on file. The elder sister, now in her fifties, expressed her feelings about the outcome, emphasizing that her pursuit of justice was not driven by revenge but by a desire for accountability. She shared her emotional state, saying, 'I feel on a high after Burton has got a custodial sentence, but mentally exhausted.'

She recounted her dramatic confrontation with Burton in November 2008, when she impulsively drove to Manchester while on stress leave from work. She described walking into Burton's house unannounced, startling him, and confronting him directly. 'He got the shock of his life. He went as white as a sheet. I stood over him and said: