Arrested after 27 years on the run

An 80-year-old suspected paedophile was arrested at Heathrow after nearly 30 years on the run over allegations of historical sexual abuse against young boys in Congleton.

Following work between Cheshire Police and National Crime Agency (NCA) International, Richard Burrows was arrested on Thursday 28 March at Heathrow Airport having returned to the UK from Thailand.

The pensioner had at the time been due to stand trial for two counts of buggery and 11 counts of indecent assault, with the charges relating to the sexual abuse of children alleged to have happened between 1969 and 1981.

Some of the offences are claimed to have occurred at a children’s home in Congleton in Cheshire between 1969 and 1971, while others are alleged to have taken place in the West Midlands between 1971 and 1981.

Enquiries to locate Burrows have been ongoing since his disappearance, including multiple wanted appeals and even a Crimewatch appeal in 1998.

Richard Burrows appeared at Chester Crown Court earlier today, Tuesday 2 April, where he was remanded in custody

The 80-year-old  is next set to appear at Chester on Friday 21 June for offences which were committed between 1969 and 1981 at a children’s home in Congleton and the West Midlands.