Music teacher jailed for sex abuse

The court heard Cromwell was married for over 30 years

A music teacher has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for sexually abusing two schoolgirls who confided in him.

Robert Cromwell, 52, of Loughborough, Leicestershire was told he had committed a "gross breach of trust" by entering into a relationship with the two pupils.

Cromwell denied nine charges of indecent assault against the two young girls and one of gross indecency.

A jury at Leicestrer Crown Court found him guilty in November 2002.

Even when a disciplinary warning was given to you over one of the girls, you continued to abuse your position

David Price
Recorder

The first girl was 15 when Cromwell, a doctor of music and vice principal at a school in Leicester, began kissing and fondling her in his classroom as she was practising her clarinet.

Recorder David Price said: "It started with a kiss and as you gained her confidence, it went on, you touching her breasts, thighs and body."

Soon after she left the school, he began sexually abusing a second pupil, who was 14, after she came to him to discuss her problems.

Cromwell made her perform oral sex on him.

Family tribute

Recorder Price continued: "You chose your victims because of their vulnerability."

"A further aggravating factor is that you groomed each of these girls.

"Even when a disciplinary warning was given to you over one of the girls, you continued to abuse your position."

Cromwell's family cried in court as he was taken down to the cells, but he showed no emotion.

Jeanette Williams, defending him, said: "In over 30 years of marriage, the defendant and his wife have never been apart and she is having to face up to the prospect of being without him for a considerable amount of time."

She added that it was a tribute to him that so many people had turned up for him in court and that he had a very close family.