A Jersey Sex Offender, Gordon Burnett, 64-year-old male, inappropriately goosed a teenage girl at a New Year’s gathering. Gordon Burnett an IT Consultant, hailing from Sussex, journeyed to Jersey to celebrate the New Year on the Channel Island.
Gordon Burnett was taken away in handcuffs following his arrest for placing his hand under the girl’s pants shortly after midnight on January 1, 2024.
The teenager – Gordon Burnett did not know – described the incident in Jersey’s Royal Court on Thursday. Gordon Burnett was said to have approached her, placing his arm around her before putting his arm up her skirt and inside her underwear.
Gordon Burnett was found guilty at Jersey’s Royal Court on Thursday of sexual touching without consent and has been remanded into custody. He is due to be sentenced on October 18.
Detective Constable Ben Casson from the States of Jersey Police said: “I wish to thank the victim in this case for her courage, resilience and determination to see this through.
“We recognise how hard it can be for victims to come forward and wish to reassure the public that we, and the services we work alongside, will do everything in our power to support victims of sexual abuse whether or not they wish to pursue a criminal case.”
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The Jersey Royal Court has assured that women will be “protected” by the Island’s judicial system, as it sentenced a 64-year-old man, Gordon Burnett, to three years and three months in prison for inappropriately touching a teenage girl.
In September, a jury unanimously convicted Gordon James Burnett of one count of non-consensual sexual touching, and he was sentenced Monday.
The court was informed that Gordon Burnett, an IT manager residing in Brighton and a former employee of Sussex Police, had participated in a gathering in Jersey.
He positioned himself at the bar adjacent to the girl, initiated a dialogue with her, then inserted his hand beneath her skirt and into her undergarments. He was characterised as “extremely intoxicated.”
Crown Advocate Mike Preston, prosecuting, stated, “He was sufficiently aged to be her grandfather.”
The event was recorded by another guest, and other witnesses testified for the prosecution during the trial.
Initially, Gordon Burnett asserted that he was too intoxicated to recall the evening, but subsequently recounted experiencing “flashbacks,” stated Crown Advocate Preston.
“It is perhaps fortuitous that the defendant could not recall being in proximity to a young girl,” he stated.
He condemned the defence in the trial for enquiring why the girl did not flee during the assault, deeming it “a regrettable line of cross-examination.”
Following the assault, the girl refrained from going out due to her fear of a recurrence of the incident (Gordon Burnett was months away from officially being labelled a paedophile as the girl’s age was just 16 years).
The assault, Gordon Burnett, “eradicated her sense of security,” he stated.
Jersey Crown Advocate Preston stated that she experienced nightmares, had difficulty concentrating on her studies, and was concerned about others’ perceptions if they learnt about the assault.
Her testimony was “consistent and entirely dependable.” She stated that her response was to freeze and to grasp a friend’s hand tightly.
The advocate stated, “She was trembling and weeping.”
The prosecution requested a sentence of three years and six months.
Defence attorney Olaf Blakeley requested a sentence of two and a half years.
He submitted numerous personal references to the court, depicting him as “a man who is esteemed by his colleagues and family.”
According to Advocate Blakeley, Gordon Burnett had no prior convictions, and evaluations indicated he posed a minimal risk of recidivism.
Gordon Burnett continues to refute the charge and has initiated the process of appealing his conviction.
The Deputy Bailiff, Robert MacRae, stated to Gordon Burnett: “As a result of your actions, your victim experienced difficulties at school and is exceedingly hesitant to engage socially.”
She has been referred to the NSPCC for treatment and informed a counsellor that she believed the incident was partially her fault.
The victim in this case, characterised during the trial as a lovely, kind, and sensitive young woman, stated that she has transformed as a result of your wrongdoing.
“Women must be assured that the courts of Jersey will safeguard them and that perpetrators convicted of sexual assault will receive custodial sentences commensurate with their offenses.”
He imposed a term of three years and three months’ imprisonment on Gordon Burnett, mandated his registration as a sex offender for a minimum of five years, and issued a restraining order against him.
The Deputy Bailiff presided with Jurats Austin-Vautier and Le Heuzé.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.