A FORMER church leader and hairdresser, who cut the hair of several celebrities, has been jailed for sexually assaulting a young boy at a Malvern church nearly 40 years ago after the brave survivor of his abuse spoke out.

David Burley of West Malvern Road, Malvern, has been convicted of three indecent assaults on the same boy in the 1980s in attacks branded a 'terrible crime' by the church where he was once a prominent member.

Worcester News: JAILED: David Burley admitted three indecent assaults against a boy and is now in prison after he was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court JAILED: David Burley admitted three indecent assaults against a boy and is now in prison after he was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court (Image: West Mercia Police)

Burley used to cut the hair of Bernard Weatherill, former Speaker of the House of Commons, and Burley has cut the hair of Najib Razak, the disgraced Prime Minister of Malaysia, TV pundit Jeremy Paxman, and writers Dominic Sandbrook and James Delingpole, as well as Mark Pougatch, ITV’s football host.

The 76-year-old who served on the deanery synod and as a church warden at Holy Trinity Church in Malvern until recently was jailed for 28 months at Worcester Crown Court on February 2 by Judge Nicholas Cole.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Worcester said Burley stepped back from a role in the parish as soon as they became aware of his arrest and praised the bravery of the survivor of his abuse for speaking out.

The first indecent assault happened between February 7, 1985 and February 6, 1987 at Holy Trinity Church in Malvern on 'at least two occasions' on a boy under 16.

Burley committed a further indecent assault on the same boy and at the same location between the same dates.

He also committed a third indecent assault on the same victim and at the same location between the same dates 'on at least two occasions'. 

Burley entered guilty pleas at Worcester Magistrates Court on January 4 this year.

The victim has lifelong anonymity and cannot be identified.

A spokesperson from the Diocese of Worcester said: “We are aware that David Burley has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment after appearing at Worcester Crown Court on February 2.

"There is never any excuse for what took place; abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, and the church has been working closely with the police and all statutory authorities throughout this investigation.

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"Mr Burley stepped back from all involvement in the parish as soon as we were aware of his arrest. The Church of England takes any allegations of abuse very seriously and is committed to being a safer place for all. But we can never be complacent. We commend the bravery of the survivor and would like to urge anyone who might have any relevant information to come forward knowing they will be listened to and their concerns taken seriously.”

We reported in August 2019 how Burley's hairdressers was to close after being in the same family for 100 years, with Burley the last owner who decided to sell the shop when he retired.

Burley's, which was located at the former boarding house for the Malvern Water Cure, was taken on by David's grandfather, Harry, in 1920, then passed to his father, Dennis, and subsequently him.