PORTSMOUTH PAEDOPHILE MARK BURGESS SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH AND WESTBOURNE
In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the Portsmouth community, Mark Burgess, a 68-year-old man from St Chad's Avenue in Portsmouth, was convicted of a series of heinous child sex offences spanning over three decades.The conviction followed a lengthy and detailed trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, where survivors of his abuse bravely confronted their abuser and recounted the devastating impact of his actions.
On May 28, Burgess was found guilty of a total of 48 counts related to the sexual exploitation of 13 children, all under the age of 16 at the time of the offences.
The court heard that Burgess, who served as a choirmaster at All Saints Church in Portsmouth and St John’s Church in Westbourne, Sussex, had exploited his position of trust to commit these crimes over a period stretching from 1976 to 2009.
His roles included being a music teacher at Portsmouth City Boys’ School, as well as leading church choirs, which provided him access to vulnerable children.
During the trial, the court was presented with disturbing evidence that Burgess had engaged in a pattern of predatory behaviour, which included 26 counts of indecent assault, 15 counts of gross indecency with a child, four counts of buggery, one count of attempted indecent assault, and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
The jury was also directed to find him not guilty on two counts of gross indecency with a child and one count of buggery, after the judge’s instructions.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Burgess’s abuse took place in various locations, including his home during piano lessons, the church vestry, his car, and the music room at the school.
Several victims reported that Burgess would often give them alcohol and cigarettes before subjecting them to abuse, highlighting the manipulative and exploitative nature of his crimes.
Following the verdict, Judge William Ashworth sentenced Burgess to a minimum of 21 years in prison, with the possibility of parole thereafter.
The judge described the case as involving a “horrendous course of child sex abuse” and emphasized that Burgess could expect a “lengthy custodial sentence” for his actions.
In a joint statement, some of Burgess’s victims expressed their shock and devastation, stating, “The extent of Mark Burgess’s abuse on all of us has been shocking and has turned our worlds upside down.” The court remanded Burgess into custody, and he is scheduled to appear for sentencing on June 30.
This case has left a lasting scar on the community of Portsmouth and Westbourne, as authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable.
