MICHAEL BURNS FROM LEICESTER CAUGHT IN PARK BLOWING KISSES TO BOYS AND SMOKING CANNABIS
In a disturbing series of incidents in Leicester, Michael Burns, a 50-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, was recently convicted and sentenced for actions that raised serious concerns about his conduct around children.On May 23, 2015, Burns was seen in Humberstone Park, Leicester, engaging in inappropriate behavior that led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
Despite being under a sexual offences prevention order that explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with minors under the age of 18, Burns approached two boys, aged 12 and 14, in the park.
Witnesses observed him blowing kisses towards the boys, an act that appeared to be aimed at gaining their attention.
According to court reports, Burns then put a cigarette lighter in his mouth, began to suck on it, and pointed towards a nearby wooded area, suggesting to the boys that they should follow him there.
A vigilant woman in the park saw Burns' actions and quickly intervened by leading the boys away from the scene.
However, Burns persisted in following them, continuing to blow kisses and making gestures that could be interpreted as attempts to lure or distract the children.
The woman, acting responsibly, called the police to report his behavior.
Judge Simon Hammond at Leicester Crown Court expressed grave concern over the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of Burns' actions.
He pointed out that the case dated back to June 2010 when a sexual offences prevention order was first issued against Burns.
The judge questioned Burns' motives, asking why he was in the park blowing kisses at children, and underscored the importance of the order in place, which was designed to protect young children from potential harm caused by Burns' past offenses.
Prosecutor James Gelsthorpe recounted Burns' criminal history, revealing that he had previously served time for sexual offenses.
In 2003, Burns was jailed for eight months for indecently assaulting a boy under 14.
Later, in 2010, he received an 18-month sentence for indecent assault involving a boy under 16.
His pattern of offending continued, and in 2013, Burns breached the sexual offences prevention order by speaking to children in a park and instructing them on how to roll a cannabis joint, which led to a 15-month imprisonment.
During the sentencing hearing, defense attorney Isabel Wilson highlighted Burns' difficult childhood and struggles with alcohol and depression.
She explained that at the time of the latest incident, Burns was battling mental health issues and had been drinking heavily.
She noted that Burns had been remanded in custody since his arrest and emphasized his remorse.
In a separate incident in April 2013, Burns was involved in another troubling episode on wasteland near Aylestone Recreation Ground in Leicester.
He was found smoking cannabis in front of a group of children aged between eight and 14, discussing how to roll joints.
Court evidence revealed that Burns forcibly took a tobacco tin containing cannabis from an 11-year-old boy, causing the child to panic and ride away on his bike.
The children, frightened by Burns' behavior, pretended to play a game of tag to escape.
The situation escalated when a father of one of the children located Burns loitering in the area, leading to an altercation before police arrived.
Burns, of Regent Road, Leicester, admitted to breaching his sexual offences prevention order by communicating with children and possessing cannabis.
He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for these offenses.
Judge Philip Head condemned Burns' actions, describing his behavior as a prolonged attempt to ingratiate himself with children in violation of court orders.
The judge underscored the breach as a serious violation of the court's directives meant to safeguard minors.
Prosecutor Victoria Rose reiterated Burns' prior convictions, including an eight-month sentence in 2003 for indecent assault and an 18-month sentence in 2010 for similar offenses involving a minor.
Defense attorney Helen Johnson stated that Burns was living in a hostel at the time and had gone to the wasteland to smoke cannabis privately.
She emphasized that Burns accepted it was his responsibility to leave when children approached and clarified that there was no sexual impropriety involved in the incident, nor was there any physical contact of a sexual nature.
Johnson also mentioned that Burns is now in a committed relationship and only uses cannabis occasionally, portraying him as someone attempting to turn his life around.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges and risks associated with individuals like Michael Burns, whose criminal history and recent behavior continue to pose a threat to the safety of children in Leicester.
