Man arrested after years on run faces more abuse charges

Cheshire Police said Mr Burrows was now facing 89 charges in relation to 26 victims

An 80-year-old man who was arrested after more than 27 years on the run is facing further charges over alleged child sexual abuse.

Richard Burrows, who has been accused of sexually abusing children between 1968 and 1995, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in March, after returning to the UK from Thailand.

He had been wanted since December 1997 when he failed to attend Chester Crown Court to face trial for two counts of a serious sexual offence and 11 counts of indecent assault.

Cheshire Police said 21 new counts of indecent assault and two of a serious sexual offences meant he was now facing 89 charges in relation to the abuse of 26 victims.

The charges relate to allegations of abuse reported to have taken place while Mr Burrows worked as a carer at a children's home in Congleton, Cheshire, between 1969 and 1971 and in the West Midlands between 1968 and 1995.

The Cheshire force said the majority of the alleged offences in the West Midlands related to local Scout groups where Mr Burrows worked as a leader.

They said the further 23 charges had been authorised by the Crown Prosecution ahead of Mr Burrows's appearance at Chester Crown Court later.

They added that he was now facing 78 counts of indecent assault, six of a serious sexual offence, two of indecency with a child and three of making indecent images of children.

He has also been charged with four counts of possession of a false identity document with intent.