Birmingham, England – Anthony Burns, a sexual predator, has been convicted of 43 offences, including blackmail and sex crimes against women and children. The Birmingham court heard how Burns had duped 35 victims into performing demeaning sex acts, causing fear and distress. One victim, Sophie Goodall, courageously decided to waive her right to anonymity to share her harrowing experience. She revealed that Burns bombarded her with 600 messages in just a few hours, escalating from “flirty” chats to sending “disgusting imagery” and making threatening accusations.
Goodall detailed how Burns used a false identity and picture on a dating app to lure her in, before transitioning to encrypted messaging where he became “belligerent and overtly sexual.” To further intimidate her, Burns managed to find Goodall’s social media profiles and sent her screenshots of her parents and friends. This invasion of privacy and disturbing harassment left her feeling terrified and violated.
In an interview organized through the National Crime Agency, Goodall expressed her intense fear, stating that she had not shared any personal information with Burns. The rapid barrage of explicit messages and images, combined with his relentless pursuit, drove her to a point of extreme distress. She described feeling as though her sense of safety and control had been violated in her own home.
This relentless harassment instilled genuine fear in Goodall, leading her to believe that Burns might escalate to physical violence. Her decision to involve the police was prompted by the terrifying prospect of him showing up at her door. The disturbing nature of Burns’ messages and the invasion of her personal space left Goodall feeling deeply violated and vulnerable.
In light of these disturbing accounts, it is clear that Burns’ actions have had a lasting impact on his victims. The emotional and psychological trauma caused by his predatory behavior is a stark reminder of the lasting repercussions of online harassment and abuse.