BARRY THOMPSON SENTENCED IN BURTON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In June 2012, a disturbing incident unfolded in Burton involving Barry Thompson, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses against minors. Thompson, aged 45 and residing on Goodman Street in Burton, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl during a social gathering. The court heard that Thompson had touched the young girl over her clothing at a party, an act that was both invasive and deeply troubling. Furthermore, he was recorded whispering to her to 'keep her mouth shut,' a chilling indication of his intent to silence her and conceal his misconduct.

This incident took place while Thompson was in breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that had been imposed on him in 2008. The order was a legal measure designed to restrict his interactions with minors following a previous conviction for a sexual offense involving a teenage girl in Burton. The breach of this order was a significant aggravating factor in his sentencing.

Stafford Crown Court heard that Thompson’s criminal record was extensive, with this being his third sexual offense involving children. His previous convictions included a conviction in April 2006 for sexual activity in the presence of a child, and another in April 2008 for a similar offense, which resulted in a 16-month jail sentence. The court was informed that Thompson’s pattern of offending showed a disturbing escalation, moving from teenagers to a girl as young as six.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones did not hold back in his assessment of Thompson’s dangerousness. He described him as ‘a danger to young girls’ and emphasized the calculated nature of his latest offense. The judge remarked, “Each of these cases involves young girls. Before it had been teenagers, now it’s a girl as young as six — it is hard to think of a more vulnerable victim. This was quite calculated on your part. You do amount to a danger to young girls, given the pattern of offending and the escalation of it.”

As part of his sentence, Thompson was sentenced to 25 months in prison. Additionally, the court imposed a new SOPO that prohibits him from being alone with children for the next ten years. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Prosecutor Pat Sullivan explained that the assault on the six-year-old occurred during a party, but the breach of the SOPO involved Thompson being left alone with three other children while their mother went out shopping. Defense lawyer Catherine O’Reilly argued that Thompson had only been alone with the children for a few minutes and that no physical harm had been inflicted. She expressed remorse on his behalf, stating, “He is ashamed of his behaviour and expresses remorse to the child and her parents.”

Thompson’s case highlights the ongoing concerns about individuals with a history of sexual offenses against minors and the importance of strict legal measures to protect vulnerable children in Burton and beyond.