CLINT BURTON AND ANTHONY NESBITT'S SHOCKING PAEDOPHILE RING IN SUNDERLAND AND WASHINGTON REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Sunderland and Washington, two men, Clint Burton and Anthony Nesbitt, have been convicted of turning their shared residence into a sinister haven for underage girls. The pair exploited their home in Robinson Terrace, Washington, transforming it into a place where alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit activities were readily available to lure vulnerable teenagers.

According to court proceedings, Burton and Nesbitt deliberately made their flat an open invitation for 14 and 15-year-old schoolgirls, ensuring they were always welcome to visit at any time. The girls were enticed with DVDs, alcohol, and cigarettes, creating an environment that was both enticing and dangerous. Once inside, the men would engage the young visitors in provocative party games, such as truth or dare or spin the bottle, which often led to inappropriate physical contact. The court heard that these games were orchestrated to facilitate sexual misconduct and foster an atmosphere of exploitation.

Prosecutor Penny Moreland detailed the extent of the abuse, revealing that Burton, aged 27, admitted to engaging in sexual activity with one of the girls at the flat, as well as with three other schoolgirls he had befriended. Nesbitt, aged 23, also admitted to having sexual relations with one of the underage girls at the residence. The court was informed that the girls were made to feel at home at the flat, with visits occurring during the day, night, weekends, and even during school hours, despite the obvious risks involved.

Moreland explained that the young girls were eager to spend time at the flat because of the DVDs and the men’s encouragement to stay overnight. The environment was further compromised by the availability of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, which the pair used to manipulate and control their young victims. The court also heard that Burton and Nesbitt would pose as caring guardians to reassure the girls’ parents, creating a false sense of security. One victim even believed she was being filmed during a sexual encounter at the flat, although no recordings were ever discovered.

In sentencing, Burton, of Station Road, Washington, received a five-year prison term with an additional three-year extended license period. He was also subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having any solitary contact with underage girls, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Nesbitt, of Gartland Road, Sunderland, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. He, too, was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and will be permanently barred from working with children. Additionally, Nesbitt admitted an unrelated charge of possessing a bladed article, which contributed to the severity of his sentence.

Both men’s actions have been condemned by the court, and their lifetime bans from working with children serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such predators in the community.