Jailed for 41 offenses, including blackmail, child exploitation, and sadistic online abuse

In a disturbing case, Anthony ‘Danny’ Burns, 39, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for 41 offenses, including blackmail, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and causing sexual exploitation of a child. Burns, who collaborated with notorious online child sex offender Adbul Elahi, targeted children as young as 8 and adults through “sugar daddy” websites.

Between May 2018 and March 2023, Burns employed vile tactics to coerce victims into performing degrading acts. After blackmailing and threatening them, he would move conversations to WhatsApp, where he demanded explicit imagery. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed that Burns also sent indecent images of children to victims and made horrifying requests for child abuse and acts with animals.

Working closely with Adbul Elahi, who is serving a 32-year sentence for similar offenses, Burns attempted to exploit around 600 people globally. The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation identified 40 victims, mostly in the UK, leading to charges against Burns.

Upon his arrest, digital evidence from seized equipment, including phones, linked Burns to the offenses. Chat logs, over a thousand indecent images of children (IIOC), and extreme pornography involving animals were crucial in building a case against him.

Burns, formerly of Lowestoft in Suffolk, admitted 39 offenses and was found guilty of two by a jury. The sentencing on Friday included 24 years in prison, with a five-year extended license. His charges ranged from blackmail to making and distributing indecent images of a child.

Robert Slater, NCA Operations Manager, emphasized the revolting nature of Burns’ actions, praising the victims’ courage. Burns’ control over victims, especially young children, was described as sinister, manipulative, and heartless. Slater reinforced the NCA’s commitment to pursuing the highest harm sexual offenders, particularly those exploiting technology to hide their crimes.

Bethany Raine, a specialist prosecutor for the CPS, highlighted Burns’ obsessive and degrading actions, stating that his conviction sends a clear message about the commitment to bringing sexual offenders to justice.

The NCA urged individuals facing online pressure or threats to report such incidents to the police and emphasized the availability of help for victims.