Expat faces sex crime charges
The arrest of Richard Burrows, better known in Phuket as Peter Smith, for paedophile charges as he landed in the UK earlier this month stunned many of those who knew him, as he had lived on the island in plain sight for decades.
Burrows, a former Scoutmaster in the UK, was arrested at Heathrow airport on Mar 28 as he disembarked a flight from Thailand.
The 80-year-old had been wanted by Cheshire Police since December 1997 when he failed to attend Chester Crown Court where he was due to stand trial for two counts of buggery and 11 counts of indecent assault, Cheshire Constabulary noted in their announcement.
The charges relate to the sexual abuse of children which is alleged to have occurred between 1969 and 1971. Some of the offences are reported to have occurred at a children’s home in Congleton, Cheshire, while others took place in the West Midlands.
“The charges related to alleged historic abuse of boys at a care home in the 1980s. But he disappeared before his trial was due to take place at Chester Crown Court later that same year,” police said.
Cheshire Police gave themselves and National Crime Agency (NCA) International great credit for the arrest
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said, “Our determination to locate Burrows has not faltered over the past 27-years and his arrest marks a significant step forward in this case and the beginning of closure for all those involved.
“I would like to thank the public for the information that they have provided over the years during our search for Burrows and I hope that his arrest provides some reassurance.
“I also hope that his arrest acts as a warning to any other wanted suspects – demonstrating that no matter how long you hide, we will find you and you will be arrested.”
Duncan Burrage, NCA International Liaison Officer in Thailand, said, “Utilising our international network and working closely with Cheshire Police colleagues, we have been able to track down a fugitive wanted in connection to extremely serious allegations.
“This arrest demonstrates law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to hunt down those who await justice in the UK.”
Yet here he was living in plain sight in Phuket, apparently unknown to authorities both here in Thailand and in the UK. Even last year UK police told the press that he had never been located despite “extensive enquiries”.
Burrows arrived in Phuket in 1997 and had lived on the island under the name Peter Smith, complete with a passport.
He had set up his own company and taught English at schools from time to time. His face was all over government documents, including visa and permit-to stay renewals through Phuket Immigration.
Somehow during his time in Phuket, Burrows went unidentified despite renewing his British passport several times ‒ all without raising a red flag to British crimefighters and despite the advent of biometric passports.
Although Burrows for years worked in advertising/sales for wellknown Phuket publisher IMAGE asia, and other publications, he did so through his own company.
“Nobody who knew ’Peter’ here would have guessed he was wanted for such dreadful crimes. He was a very well-liked Phuket expat with a wide circle of friends,” said well-known Phuket expat Grenville Fordham, founder of IMAGE asia.
His health failing and out of finances ‒ he had spent more than the past year living in a shipping container fitted out to be a residence ‒ Burrows chose to go back to the UK on his own volition.
So well liked was he that a collection was gathered at his ‘retirement’ party to help him pay for the flight home.
“Shocked by the news, nothing ’Peter’ did or said in the years I have known him raised any flags. Hope this helps with closure for everyone involved,” said Class Act Media & IMAGE asia General Manager Jason Beavan.
Burrows was arraigned in court in the UK on Tuesday, Apr 2. According to reports in the UK media, he is to remain in custody until a hearing scheduled for June 21, with a provisional trial date set for Jan 13 next year.