The parents of the boys had all asked for the maximum, saying Burton had broken their trust and emotionally damaged their sons.

The boys were lauded as "heroes" who probably saved others from becoming Burton's victims, because they dared to come forward and testify against him at a preliminary hearing.

"I hate you," said one father, his voice choked with anger as he glared at Burton.

Another father called Burton "a boil on society" who "should never see the light of day."

Third District Judge Mark Kouris called Burton's actions "absolutely despicable," and said he would ask the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to make Burton serve every day of his 30-year sentence.

"You're 26 years old now," the judge said. "I hope you're not out until you're 56 years old."

Victims had testified that when they asked questions of Burton, he made them sit on his lap to get answers. Burton would then stick his hands inside the boys' pants pockets and touch their genitals.

Burton was charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies punishable by up to life in prison.

He pleaded guilty in August to eight lesser second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child, each punishable by one to 15 years in prison.

Despite Burton's admissions, the victims' parents blamed him for waiting until after their sons had endured the trauma of testifying at the preliminary hearing.

Defense attorney Tara Isaacson said it took time for Burton to be able to "look in the mirror and say, 'I am a sex offender.' "

Burton faced the boys' parents to apologize, and said he was once "a great teacher," but that his actions had made his prior efforts "worthless."

"I wasted a year of [the victims'] schooling, and possibly ruined their lives," said Burton, wearing a short-sleeved jail jumpsuit that revealed the tattoo of a red apple on his left forearm.

Tooele County Attorney Douglas Hogan said the apple, inscribed "Mr. B," is apparently a symbol related to Burton's occupation as a teacher.

Hogan called Burton's actions "every parent's nightmare - and it happened to multiple victims on multiple occasions."

Burton was suspended from teaching on March 31, a day after fondling a boy who went home and immediately reported the abuse to his mother.

shunt@sltrib.com