BRISTOL AND WEYMOUTH OFFENDERS JOSEPH DEVOTEE AND HERBERT BURROWES SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Bristol and Weymouth, two men have been convicted of historic child abuse and subsequently sentenced to prison terms that reflect the severity of their crimes.

Joseph Devotee, an 81-year-old man who previously operated a joke shop on Christmas Steps in Bristol, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a young boy. The court heard that Devotee had befriended the victim, a young male, and engaged in molestation both at his shop and at his residence located on Ashley Down Road in Bristol. Despite the victim confiding in his family and seeking medical advice, he hesitated to report the abuse to authorities until early 2010, revealing that the abuse had taken place during the 1970s when he was under 16 years old.

Devotee, who now resides at The Pines in Greenhill, Weymouth, faced five counts of indecency with a child along with two additional serious sexual assault charges involving two different complainants. During the trial, Devotee denied all allegations, claiming innocence. The court, however, found him guilty of all charges except one indecency charge, for which the jury was directed to return a not guilty verdict by Judge Carol Hagen.

On the other hand, Herbert Burrowes, a 60-year-old known as Sapphire or Patrick Mclean, and residing on Barclay Road in Bishopston, was also convicted. Burrowes faced charges of indecency with a child and a serious sexual assault on a young boy. He denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. The jury, by a majority of ten to two, found Burrowes guilty of all charges.

Both men received substantial prison sentences: Devotee was sentenced to seven years, while Burrowes received four years. Additionally, both offenders were ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, a measure that underscores the gravity of their crimes and the ongoing risk they pose to the community.

Prosecutor Ian Dixey provided further context, revealing that the older of the two boys had previously been subjected to abuse by a now-deceased estate agent named David Joll, who also took photographs of the child. The same boy later came into contact with Devotee, and both boys were introduced to him through Joll. The court heard that the first boy recalled meeting Devotee at a party hosted by Joll. Devotee was described as someone who drove a Jaguar and owned a joke shop in Bristol. The boy recounted how he would skip school in the afternoons to visit the shop and would sometimes stay overnight at Devotee’s home, sharing a bed with him.

The second boy also remembered visiting Devotee’s joke shop and his home, where he experienced a power shower—a novelty for him—and was filmed by Devotee as he exited the shower. The abuse escalated to sexual acts, including incidents on a boat on the River Avon in Bath, where the same boy was filmed and assaulted.

The court further learned that the second boy met Burrowes through Devotee. Burrowes attempted a serious sexual assault on him and engaged in another sexual act with him. When arrested, Devotee admitted knowing the boys but denied any wrongdoing, while Burrowes denied any sexual activity with either of the complainants. The case highlights a disturbing pattern of grooming and abuse involving individuals who exploited their positions of trust and familiarity to commit these heinous acts.