DAVID BURGIN'S DARK PAST REVEALED: BEDFORD, CLAPHAM, AND SHEFFIELD'S DANGEROUS PAEDOPHILE ON THE RUN AND BEHIND BARS

In a case that spans over decades and multiple locations, David Burgin, a man with a deeply troubling history of sexual offenses against minors, has been brought back into the spotlight. Burgin, who once resided in Clapham and Sheffield, and was known to have connections in Bedford, has a criminal record that dates back to the early 1980s and includes multiple convictions for sexual abuse of young boys.

In December 2016, it was confirmed that Burgin had succumbed to terminal cancer, bringing an end to a long and notorious criminal career. However, his story is marked by a series of legal battles, escapes, and ongoing threats to public safety. As of July 2015, Burgin was released from Wakefield prison on parole due to his failing health, and he was reported to be living in Sheffield at that time.

His criminal activities first came to public attention in July 2009, when authorities identified him as a dangerous paedophile who had managed to evade justice for ten years. Burgin, then 47 years old and residing on High Street in Clapham, had changed his name to David Tyler in an attempt to conceal his identity. Despite this, he was sentenced to an indefinite term for public protection at Luton Crown Court, with a minimum of six years to serve before he could seek parole.

The court proceedings revealed a disturbing history. In the early 1980s, Burgin befriended a 12-year-old boy in Sheffield, whom he later sexually abused. The victim did not disclose the abuse until he was 29, fearing Burgin was forming a similar relationship with another youth. Burgin was scheduled to stand trial in 1999 at Sheffield Crown Court but disappeared before the proceedings could take place. He subsequently moved to Bedfordshire, where he changed his identity to evade detection.

In 2004, Burgin secured employment as a barman at The Hockey Centre on Chester Road in Bedford. It was during this period that he met another 12-year-old boy. Prosecutor Beverley Cripps described the grooming pattern, stating, “He showed a fatherly interest in the boy and people thought it was a very caring relationship but underneath the surface there was the sexual offending.” The victim later contacted police, suspecting Burgin was targeting yet another young boy.

Burgin pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including buggery and indecent assault committed between 1985 and 1987, as well as four counts of sexual activity with a boy under 16 between 2005 and 2008. His defense, led by Dee Connolly, argued that Burgin had shown remorse through his guilty pleas and expressed willingness to undergo treatment for his sexual offending. She also highlighted his involvement in raising £285,000 for a sports foundation charity in Bedfordshire.

Despite these claims, Judge John Bevan QC was unequivocal in his assessment, stating, “I am wholly satisfied you present a long-term danger to boys aged between 12 and 16.” The court's verdict underscored the ongoing threat Burgin posed to young people.

Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Roy Bennet of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit emphasized the manipulative nature of Burgin’s crimes. “Tyler showed all the traits of a sexual predator of children grooming his victims beforehand and making their families believe he was a friend,” he said. Bennet also praised the bravery of the young victim who came forward, acknowledging the courage it took to prevent further harm.

As part of his ongoing punishment, Burgin will be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and will be subject to a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which bans him from contact with young people. Currently, he is serving a ten-month sentence for absconding from custody, further illustrating his troubled history and the persistent danger he represents.