LEEDS MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING THREE YOUNG GIRLS

A man named Sydney Burdon, aged 65, from Leeds, has been convicted of sexually abusing three young girls over a period of twenty years. The court found him guilty on nine charges, including rape and indecent assault. The victims were between nine and sixteen years old at the time of the offenses. During the sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, one of the victims described him as a "monster" and detailed how he had devastated her life, saying, "There are no words to accurately explain to you how this has changed my life. I was happy go lucky. The defendant took all that away from me, I feel that the light within me is now non-existent. He used manipulation, betrayal, and took away the innocence of childhood, leaving me to grow up before my time. The victim expressed her relief that speaking out had exposed him and that others now see him as the true monster he is." Burdon was sentenced to 12 years in prison and will serve an extended license period of four years afterward. Additionally, he is required to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and was given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Det Sgt Emma Thompson described Burdon as a "predatory male who targeted young children with a pattern of persistent, targeted behavior". She emphasized that Burdon refused to take responsibility for his actions throughout the trial. Furthermore, he has been prohibited from contact with children and must adhere to strict legal restrictions due to the nature of his crimes.