May 2014
Leicester music teacher found guilty of sexually abusing pupils
An “arrogant” music teacher, found guilty of sexually abusing three pupils, was warned to expect a substantial jail sentence.
Christopher Dunn (39) was convicted of seven offences involving the 15-year-old victims.
Dunn met the girls, and seduced two of them, whilst working at Leicester’s Soar Valley Music Centre, Claremont Street, Belgrave, run by his parents.
A victim who watched the guilty verdicts announced at Leicester Crown Court, hugged her mother and they both wept.
Outside court they said: “All we want to say it that justice has been done and we’ve waited a long time for today.”
Dunn, of Pulford Drive, Thurnby, denied the allegations, claiming he had done nothing illegal.
Judge Simon Hammond told Dunn: “One of the golden rules of teachers and staff at educational establishments is they shouldn’t get sexually involved with pupils.
“Pupils are forbidden fruit.
“It’s important teaching staff say no.
“Parents took their children to the music centre to be taught and not to be sexually seduced by a member of staff.”
The judge added: “He took advantage of those girls and betrayed the trust of those parents.
“He’s shown he likes young girls and it’s clear he used these girls for sexual gratification.
“He was arrogant and overbearing when interviewed by the police and was deliberately difficult.
“The courts have a duty to protect impressionable young girls from themselves.
“This is very serious and I’ll be considering a substantial prison sentence.”
During the trial the jury of seven men and five women were told that on several occasions, Dunn collected one of his 15-year-old music centre students from school and drove her into the countryside, or to his boat on Thurmaston Marina, for intimate encounters involved kissing and sexual touching.
She once suggested changing into her day clothes, but Dunn told her: “I like the school uniform.”
Similar sexual touching occurred with another 15-year-old and after her 16th birthday she lost her virginity in his car.
The third victim had her nipple tweaked by Dunn, on one occasion.
He denied three counts of indecent assault against one 15-year-old, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of sexual activity with her when she was 16, by a person in a position of trust, and sexually assaulting a third girl, by twisting her nipple, between 2000 and 2008, when he was in his late 20s to mid 30s.
Dunn, who qualified as a music teacher in 1999, later became the music centre’s development manager, but was suspended from working there in July 2010 due to concerns about his conduct towards the victims.
He also taught music, played in the centre’s orchestra and on occasions conducted it.
He is a former organiser of the county’s Glastonbudget tribute band music festival, from 2007 to 2009.
He told the jury there was no truth in the allegations against him and although he accepted sexual involvement with one victim, is was not until after she was 16 and when was not her music teacher.
After the guilty verdicts were announced, the case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Defence counsel, Andrew Lewis, told the judge: “He knows custody is inevitable and doesn’t seek a period on bail.”
Dunn was remanded into custody to await sentencing on May 30.
During the trial, Vanessa Marshall, prosecuting, said “Dunn was looked up to, especially by young female students taking instruction from him.
“It’s not alleged the defendant forced any of these girls to engage in sexual activity against their consent.
“He didn’t, but that’s no defence because the case is he was embarking upon inappropriate relationships with young girls when he should have known better, owing to that imbalance of power in a teacher-student relationship or position of trust.”
She said that in 2003 it became illegal for someone in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 18.
