A MAN took photos of himself while sexually abusing and assaulting a baby. Police discovered Christopher Burford’s heinous activities after initially suspecting him of downloading indecent images from the internet and seizing his phone for analysis. As a dangerous offender, the 45-year-old has now received an extended sentence.
Officers went to Burford’s house in Pontneddfechan, at the top of the Neath Valley, in February this year, according to Swansea Crown Court. Prosecutor Ian Wright stated that the defendant’s phones were examined on the spot and that evidence of indecent material was discovered.
The defendant was arrested and interviewed, and he told officers that he met a man on an adult swinging website who disclosed sexual offending, and that he then began an investigation into paedophiles in the area to keep children safe. Burford was released on bail while his phone was thoroughly analysed digitally.
According to the court, a total of 1,032 images of children being sexually abused were discovered on Burford’s Samsung device, and while the majority were downloaded from the internet, it appeared that some were taken by the defendant himself. Further investigation on the phone revealed that more than 100 photographs of a baby being sexually assaulted had been taken.
The child involved was later identified by police. Mr Wright stated that it was impossible to determine the dates on which Burford took the photographs. Following the discovery that he had taken some of the photos, the defendant was interviewed a second time, and this time he answered “no comment” to all questions.
Burford, 45, of Dinas Street, Pontneddfechan, Glynneath, admitted four counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13, two counts of assault by penetration on a child under the age of 13, taking indecent images of Category A, B, and C, and possession of indecent images. He has no prior felony convictions. Read about a 63-year-old man who had a “unhealthy interest in young girls” and sent vile messages to teenagers.
Dyfed Thomas, representing Burford, stated that the defendant’s guilty pleas were the best mitigation he could present to the court, despite the fact that they were entered in the face of “overwhelming” evidence of guilt. While the pre-sentence report into Burford questioned his remorse for what he had done, he was told that his client was truly sorry.
Burford had abused a “helpless” baby, according to Judge Geraint Walters, and while the courts deal with cases of sexual offending every day, some stand out due to the nature of the offending, and this was one of them. He stated that he was convinced the defendant should be classified as a dangerous offender under the relevant legislation and thus made the subject of further proceedings.
Burford was given an 18-year extended sentence comprising 12 years in prison followed by a six-year extended licence period.
The judge said he must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of his sentence before he can apply for release but it will be for the Parole Board to determine when he is safe to be let out and on what conditions. The defendant will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
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