Ex-chorister jailed for sex abuse

A former teacher and choirmaster has been jailed for eight years for a series of serious sexual offences on boys dating back more than 20 years.

Mark Peterson, 47, of Locks Heath, Southampton, used trips away and music lessons to carry out the attacks in the 1970s, Guildford Crown Court heard.

He was convicted on 10 charges when he appeared in court in May.

He carried out the attacks when he was a singer in a choir in Surrey, the court was told.

Indecent images

On Friday, the married father-of-two returned to the dock where he admitted seven counts of downloading indecent images of children.

Judge John Crocker told him that although the attacks had taken place decades ago, the memories of them still stayed with his victims.

"In effect you groomed them, each and every one," he said.

During his trial, the jury heard how he built up a "rapport" with the boys he met by giving them cigarettes and talking about girls and sex.

Prosecutor Simon Connolly said Peterson, formerly known as Mark Purkiss, targeted boys who were "of an age when they were unlikely to say anything".

Judge Crocker told Peterson that, as well as being placed on the sex offenders' register for life, he would never be allowed to work with children again.