Former teacher and choirmaster, 65, admits sex offences against 19 children over more than 40 years

By MATTHEW COX, JUNIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A former choirmaster and teacher has pleaded guilty to a series of child sexual offences spanning his career of over 40 years.

Essex Police said David Pickthall was charged as part of an investigation into alleged offences against 19 people between 1980 and 2021 in Brentwood and Upminster.

The 65-year-old, of Cheveley Park, Suffolk, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Colchester Magistrates' Court to 29 charges, the force said.

Police said Pickthall admitted 16 counts of indecent assault, 10 counts of voyeurism and three counts of making an indecent image of a child.

The force said the offending to which Pickthall pleaded guilty encompassed all 19 victims.

David Pickthall, 65, pictured at Colchester Magistrates Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to 29 child sexual offences

David Pickthall, 65, pictured at Colchester Magistrates Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to 29 child sexual offences

Essex Police said the offences took place across over 40 years and involved 19 victims, in which time Pickthall had been a teacher in Brentwood and a choirmaster in Havering

Essex Police said the offences took place across over 40 years and involved 19 victims, in which time Pickthall had been a teacher in Brentwood and a choirmaster in Havering

Pickthall was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to education and to charity

Pickthall was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to education and to charity

The defendant was working as a choirmaster in the Greater London borough of Havering and as a teacher in Brentwood during some of this time period.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chelsie Stamford said: 'I want to praise the strength demonstrated by the victims in this case for coming forward and telling us what happened to them.

'David Pickthall subjected them to an unimaginable ordeal that will stay with them for their whole lives.

'Their evidence has ensured we've been able to hold Pickthall accountable for what he has done to them and will face justice.

'Ultimately, he was faced with no option other than to admit his crimes.'

Pickthall had initially been charged with an additional eight counts of indecent assault when he was first arrested in late August.

The former teacher was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to education and to charity, 18 years after he was given a civic award for cervices to the arts in Brentwood.

His career also saw him work in TV and film including as the musical arranger for Channel 4's Paul O'Grady Show and a conductor for Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me (2004).

He is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in the week beginning November 11.

London

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