Anthony ‘Danny’ Burns Jailed for 24 Years Over Horrific Online Blackmail
Anthony ‘Danny’ Burns, 39, a ‘pupil’ of one of the UK’s most notorious sexual predators, has been locked up for 24 years. The National Crime Agency (NCA) exposed Burns for running a terrifying online blackmail and sex exploitation ring.
Depraved Blackmail on ‘Sugar Daddy’ Sites
Between May 2018 and March 2021, Burns used ‘sugar daddy’ dating sites to trap dozens of unsuspecting women into performing degrading sexual acts. He threatened them with blackmail to force compliance. Shocking details reveal he even targeted a seven-year-old girl in the US, who was subjected to abuse after relentless coercion.
Trained by Notorious Abuser Abdul Elahi
Burns was mentored by vile paedophile Abdul Elahi, sentenced to 32 years in 2021 for abusing over 2,000 victims worldwide. Elahi taught Burns how to manipulate victims, script his words, and earn their trust. Burns, originally from Lowestoft, posed as a model agency boss and even an NCA officer to lure victims.
Encrypted Chats Used to Erase Evidence
Once trust was gained, Burns moved victims to WhatsApp, knowing its end-to-end encryption allowed messages to disappear from both sides. He promised £600 for explicit videos but never paid. Instead, Burns blackmailed victims with threats to expose their videos to family and friends unless they sent more depraved content.
NCA and FBI Nab Digital Predator
Burns was arrested in February 2019. His devices were seized and meticulously examined, uncovering the scale of his crimes. The FBI aided the investigation, tracking victims in the US. Most victims lived in England, with others in the Channel Islands and Australia.
46 Charges and Life Behind Bars
- Burns faced 46 charges including blackmail, causing a child under 13 to perform sexual acts, making and sharing indecent images, and malicious communications.
- He admitted to 41 counts and was found guilty of two more at Birmingham Crown Court.
- Sentenced to 24 years in prison plus five years on licence.
- Also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and lifetime sex offenders registration.
Bethany Raine, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “This conviction sends a clear message that we are relentless in bringing sexual abusers and exploiters to justice.”
All 35 victims, aged between seven and 54, have now been safeguarded.
NCA Warns Victims: Speak Out and Get Help
The National Crime Agency urges anyone pressured to send explicit material online to stop all contact immediately and report to the police. Help is available, and offenders WILL be caught.
