Conductor jailed for abusing boys can still teach

By Amy Bourke • June 6, 2007 - 12:19

Robert King was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison by Judge Hezlett Colgan.

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A leading orchestra conductor has been jailed for sexually abusing talented young musicians, but will still be able to work with children.

Robert King, 46, was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault over an 11-year period on Monday at London's Isleworth Crown Court.

He molested five boys, one of whom was just 12 years old.

He gave the majority of his victims alcohol before he abused them at his home, either while they slept or at bath time.

King was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison by Judge Hezlett Colgan. He was told that he had committed a "gross breach of trust," according to The Telegraph.

However, although King will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, he will not be banned from working with children.

Judge Colgan said that this was because his life had changed radically since the offences, as he is now married with children.

King has worked on film scores and music for the BBC. Over the years he has toured the world with several orchestras.

The Daily Telegraph reported how King dismissed one of his accusers as a "loony" who was "off his rocker" in court.

King protested that all of his accusers were "absolute" liars, but Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, told the jury: "It flies in the face of reason that five people should independently make these allegations up."

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