28th Aug 2024
Former teacher and choirmaster David Pickthall charged with sexual offences
David Pickthall, now aged 65, enjoyed an illustrious career. Pickthall was a former Head of music at Brentwood School in Essex and also worked as a choirmaster in the borough of Havering. Pickthall worked on a number of other projects across the country and abroad. Over the course of his career, Pickthall worked extensively in TV and film, conducting music on the film Tracey Beaker: The Movie of Me in 2004; and supervising the music for Julian Fellowes' Most Mysterious Murders in 2005. Pickthall worked as the musical arranger for Channel Four's Paul O'Grady Show.
In 1997 Pickthall was presented with a civic award for services to the arts in Brentwood and 2015 Pickthall was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) "for services to education and to charity".
However, Pickthall, of Cheveley Park Cheveley, Suffolk, has recently been charged with 37 counts of sexual offences relating to 19 individuals, including 24 counts of indecent assault; 10 counts of observing a person doing a private act; 3 counts of making an indecent image of a child.
Pickthall is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates Court on 8 October 2024.
In a letter sent to the alumni network of Brentwood School, Michael Bond, the current headteacher, told parents Pickthall had been charged with sexual offences that are alleged to have happened while he taught at the school. The Headmaster wrote:
“I am writing to inform you that following a long investigation by the police, Mr David Pickthall, who will be familiar to some Old Brentwoods and who was a former Head of Music at Brentwood, has been charged with indecent assault, making indecent photographs of children and observing a person doing a private act.
The charges relate to 19 alleged victims, some who were children and some adults at the time. Mr Pickthall retired from the school in 2014 and moved away from Brentwood some time ago. As you would expect the school has been assisting [police] with their enquiries throughout the process.”
Mr Bond urged anyone who may have been affected by the case to report information to Essex Police. He added:
“In addition, if this news causes you any emotional upset, please do get in touch with me and we will ensure that the school supports you in any way we can.”
Specialist abuse solicitors Robsonshaw are already helping individuals affected by this story. Please contact Robert Shaw on his direct dial 01392 345332 or email him on robert@robsonshaw.uk if you would like to speak to Robert on a confidential, free and no obligation basis. It is hoped that the news of Pickthall's charges and forthcoming Court appearance may encourage others to come forward.
Category: Schools