VICTOR BURNETT FROM ACTON AND PORTSMOUTH GOES UNDERGROUND AFTER RIOT

In August 2000, authorities revealed that Victor Burnett, a notorious sex offender with a long and troubling history, had vanished from public view following a violent incident outside his residence. Burnett, aged 53 and originally from Acton in West London, had become a focal point of public outrage and media scrutiny after his photograph was published by the News of the World, linking him to sexual offenses involving over 100 young boys.

Burnett's disappearance occurred on the Paulsgrove estate, located just a few miles north of Portsmouth city center. He left his flat approximately 15 minutes before a demonstration by local residents escalated into chaos. The protest was sparked by the community’s outrage over his presence, which had been publicly exposed. During the riot, a police officer was struck in the face with a brick, several vehicles were vandalized, and windows in nearby buildings were shattered. The flat where Burnett had been living was ransacked, indicating a targeted attack or attempt to find him.

Initially, Hampshire police stated that Burnett, who was part of a four-man gang sentenced in 1989 for offenses against young boys, had been relocated to another part of the country. However, by the following night, it became evident that no one knew his current whereabouts. A police officer commented, “It is what we had always feared about the ‘naming and shaming’ campaign. Until Thursday night, we knew exactly where Burnett was and what he was doing. Now he has gone underground.”

Authorities condemned the violent reaction from residents, describing it as “wholly unacceptable.” Some community members, however, defended their actions. One mother expressed her frustration, saying, “We don’t need scum like that living amongst us. I have a son of 10 who walked past his flat every day. I should have been told that this pervert was living here, but none of us knew. Things got out of hand, and they shouldn’t have. But at least we got rid of him.”

Burnett, a former taxi driver, had been living quietly in Paulsgrove for two years, just 200 yards from a primary school. Since his release from prison in 1996, he was not known to have committed any further offenses against children. His past, however, as a key member of one of Britain’s most infamous paedophile gangs, had ignited intense public and media outrage once his presence was revealed.

In 1989, Burnett was sentenced to nine years in prison after a trial that exposed his involvement in a gang responsible for the abuse of numerous young boys, many with learning difficulties. Judge Henry Pownall described their actions as “unspeakable, wholesale corruption of young boys.” The gang had reportedly abducted boys, turning them into sexual objects, with Burnett convicted of conspiracy to commit buggery. His criminal record included 14 previous convictions for sex offenses. The judge emphasized the danger Burnett posed, stating, “Your record is the worst of all, and I am of the view that you are a positive danger to young people.”

Public outrage intensified as details of Burnett’s past crimes and his current residence became widely known. Leading up to the riot, around 50 residents, mainly mothers distressed by his presence, gathered along Allaways Avenue near his flat. They chanted slogans and held placards demanding his removal. The demonstration quickly attracted more people, including teenagers and young men, who arrived after hearing about the protest through mobile phones. Police responded with a significant deployment of about 70 officers, some in riot gear, to control the crowd, which was estimated to number between 100 and 150.

Hampshire police officials assured the public that they would pursue those responsible for the violence. Deputy Chief Constable Ian Redhead stated, “We cannot let people take the law into their own hands.” Despite Burnett not being on the Sex Offenders’ Register, Superintendent Bob Golding confirmed that his activities were being monitored. He added, “There was no need for the actions that took place last night.”

Burnett’s case is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by communities and law enforcement in managing the aftermath of such revelations. His history of abuse, combined with the community’s outrage, underscores the complex and often volatile nature of dealing with convicted offenders who seek to reintegrate into society while remaining under scrutiny.