Northampton man jailed for non-recent sexual abuse of boys

A man who sexually abused young boys in Northampton over two decades has been jailed for seven years.

In February 2021, a man reported to police that he had been abused in Northampton as a child by a man who had befriended him.

Northamptonshire Police’s dedicated rape investigation team, SOLAR, began an investigation which went on to reveal that Howard Burgess, now aged 59, had targeted several boys during the 1990s and 2000s.

The victims told officers how Burgess had won their trust and friendship, playing sports with them and offering them lifts, before moving on to sexually abuse them.

Burgess, formerly of Meltham Close, Northampton, went on to be charged with multiple counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14, against several victims.

He went on trial at Northampton Crown Court in June this year, where a jury found him guilty on eight counts.

On August 22, Burgess returned to the same court where he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

Burgess was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice, and the judge also ordered that he may be placed on the barring list by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer Detective Constable Adam Kelly said: “I am so proud of all the survivors of Howard Burgess for coming forward and showing such bravery.

“These offences happened more than 20 years ago, but the passage of time has not been a barrier to justice.

“These men have lived with the impact of Burgess’ offending for a long time, and I hope that seeing him recognised and jailed as the sexual predator that he is brings them some small sense of closure as they continue to heal.

“Their composure, dignity and determination has ensured Burgess has been held to account for the harm he has caused, and ensured he is jailed, where he cannot harm anyone else.”

*This report and custody image have been released with the support of the survivors in this case, who have a legal right to lifelong anonymity.*

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk/RO.

Find advice and support, including steps you can take if you’re not yet ready to make a report to police, here.

You can also visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965 for free, confidential support.