Pupils were 'easy prey' for teacher

A music teacher is facing a jail term after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing two schoolgirls.

Robert Cromwell, 52, abused the teenagers at a school in Leicester - despite being warned not to contact them.

He was convicted by a jury at Leicester Crown Court of three counts of indecent assault on the first girl, and six counts of indecently assaulting and one of gross indecency against the second girl.

The first girl was only 15 when Cromwell, a doctor of music, abused her as she was practising on her clarinet.

Oral sex

Cromwell was warned to stay away from the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, but he maintained contact with her.

Soon after the first girl left the school, Cromwell began sexually abusing a second pupil, who was then 14.

He started an 18-month sexual relationship with her.

I have in mind a very substantial custodial sentence

David Price
Recorder

On one occasion he visited her home during the Christmas holidays.

Following her GCSE results, she told him she was disappointed at how she had done and he took her to a pub.

He again sexually abused her.

Andrew Peet, prosecuting, told Cromwell: "You moved from one girl to the other using exactly the same tactics.

'Easy prey'

"They were girls with problems and very vulnerable and you were a shoulder to cry on.

"Both girls were easy prey, vulnerable, one suicidal, confiding in you and being given affection by you."

Cromwell, of Raymond Avenue, Loughborough, denied all 10 charges but was found guilty by a jury of seven women and five men.

Recorder David Price said: "I have in mind a very substantial custodial sentence."

The case was adjourned.