Sentence
Mark Burgess
Mark Burgess (aged 68) was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on 30 June 2021 to 40 Years for Gross indecency with a child and 8 other offences. The offences, what the court heard and the sentence passed.
- Court
- Portsmouth Crown Court
- Sentenced
- 30 June 2021
- Sentence
- 40 Years, Custodial Term Plus Extended Licence Period: 41 years
- Judge
- Judge William Ashworth
- Convicted on
- Conviction After Trial
5 offences
| Offence | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Gross indecency with a child | Custodial immediate |
| Buggery / Attempted Buggery (by a male of a male) aged under 16 | Custodial immediate |
| Attempted indecent assault | Custodial immediate |
| Sexual Activity with a Child | Custodial immediate |
| Indecent assault | Custodial immediate; Sex Offender Notification Requirements |
What the court heard
He was found guilty of buggery, indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, sexual activity with a child and attempted indecent assault in Portsmouth, Hampshire and Westbourne, Sussex, between 1976 and 2009. He was found not guilty of a further count of indecent assault. He abused his position of trust as a church choirmaster and teacher to sexually abuse 13 children (12 male children and a female child) aged under 16-years-old.
Aggravating and mitigating factors
Abuse of trust / Position of power; Vulnerable victim; Persistent / Lengthy / prolonged incident / prolonged period of time; Mental / Physical suffering / Harm caused