MARK BURTON OF DARLINGTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
| Red Rose Database
Darlington Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Darlington, local councillor Mark Burton has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual offenses and possession of child abuse images. Burton, aged 43 and a married father of three, resides on Middleham Road in Darlington. He held a prominent position as chairman of the committee responsible for overseeing children’s welfare within the local council.
The incident that led to his conviction occurred after a celebration event marking his re-election to the Harrowgate Hill ward in May 2011. The court was told that Burton took advantage of a schoolgirl following a drunken party, which was held to commemorate his political success. The girl later reported the assault to the police, prompting an investigation that uncovered disturbing evidence.
During the police inquiry, officers discovered 16 images of child abuse stored on Burton’s laptop. Further examination revealed that he had conducted thousands of internet searches related to paedophilia, indicating a disturbing pattern of interest. Additionally, specialist officers found file-wiping software installed on his computer, which had been used to digitally erase sensitive documents and images, making it difficult to recover evidence.
Initially, Burton denied any involvement in the assault or possession of illegal images, claiming that his sons and their friends had access to his laptop. However, during a court hearing earlier this month, he changed his plea and admitted to the charges of sexual assault and creating indecent images of children.
Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Burton to 22 months in prison. The court also imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact, and ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years. The judge expressed his disappointment, stating, “As a local councillor, you would have held the respect of your community. You have lost that respect.”
Following his conviction, Burton will be disqualified from serving as a councillor, effectively ending his political career in Darlington. The case has left many residents appalled and raises serious questions about the oversight and conduct of public officials entrusted with the welfare of children in the community.
The incident that led to his conviction occurred after a celebration event marking his re-election to the Harrowgate Hill ward in May 2011. The court was told that Burton took advantage of a schoolgirl following a drunken party, which was held to commemorate his political success. The girl later reported the assault to the police, prompting an investigation that uncovered disturbing evidence.
During the police inquiry, officers discovered 16 images of child abuse stored on Burton’s laptop. Further examination revealed that he had conducted thousands of internet searches related to paedophilia, indicating a disturbing pattern of interest. Additionally, specialist officers found file-wiping software installed on his computer, which had been used to digitally erase sensitive documents and images, making it difficult to recover evidence.
Initially, Burton denied any involvement in the assault or possession of illegal images, claiming that his sons and their friends had access to his laptop. However, during a court hearing earlier this month, he changed his plea and admitted to the charges of sexual assault and creating indecent images of children.
Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Burton to 22 months in prison. The court also imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact, and ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years. The judge expressed his disappointment, stating, “As a local councillor, you would have held the respect of your community. You have lost that respect.”
Following his conviction, Burton will be disqualified from serving as a councillor, effectively ending his political career in Darlington. The case has left many residents appalled and raises serious questions about the oversight and conduct of public officials entrusted with the welfare of children in the community.