London violin professor, 64, is charged with sexual assault
NewsThe former Royal College of Music professor Jan Repko appeared in Westminster magistrates court on Saturday, charged with a single count of sexual assault by penetration. Repko, 64, failed to enter a plea.
He was released on £15,000 bail and is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on March 17.
The charge relates to a woman over the age of 16.
Repko was dismissed in December from his teaching posts at the Royal College of Music and at Chetham’s school in Manchester after the allegations came to light.
I find it interesting that the folks who normally anonymously comment on this site defending sexual predators who abuse their positions of power; the ones who attack the students and women who have the bravery to report this behaviour are suddenly silent today. What happened, dudes? Cats got your tongues?
Be very careful about prejudging a case that has not yet come to court. In England, there are penalties for contempt.
Thank you, Norman.
Unless the law in England is very different from the law in the U.S., St John’s comment has nothing to with and could never be construed as a contempt of court. Unless someone is violating a court order not to comment, how is expressing an opinion on the merits of a court case, outside of the courthouse, possibly contempt? Don’t people do it all the time?
Oh wait. Maybe you’re thinking of libel rather than contempt. It wouldn’t be the first time the wrong word got heedlessly thrown around around here.
No, contempt of court; Barry.
If anything is heedlessly being thrown around it is one person’s understanding of the law in an irrelevant jurisdiction.
The last thing England needs is American-style “freedom” where you can say almost anything regardless of the consequences or whether it is actually reasonably true.
Contempt of court :
“You might be in contempt of court if you speak publicly or post on social media. For example, you should not say whether you think a person is guilty or innocent.”
“If you’re found to be in contempt of court, you could go to prison for up to 2 years, get a fine, or both.”
(https://www.gov.uk/contempt-of-court)
Wow. That is astonishing. Thanks for letting me know about that. (Of course, as an American, I find it as ridiculous as having a monarchy. But I know you guys see things differently.)
Just think: if we had your law, the entire United States would have been in contempt of court during the OJ trial!
I was commenting on your commenters, actually. Some of whom have mocked and demeaned me for being a survivor of child rape at a hallowed institution. I don’t see how that has to do with anything concerning any court case. But please enlighten me!
Prejudging and prejudicing the competent court of law? What are your wild assertions based on? Do you know something about the man that other don’t?
yes
Yes? You seem to have forgotten the bit where you actually provide some detail, Lara.
Interesting, Lara? I find it sad. Either a woman has been sexually abused or an innocent man falsely accused. Neither is a reason for celebration.
As you do not seem to have noticed, I was commenting on people who write comments here and not necessarily any present case. I’m sorry that wasn’t obvious enough to you.
Simmer down, Lara.
I am quiet because mere accusation, while enough in the 2020’s to destroy a man’s reputation and life’s work in the court of public opinion, does not always result in actual guilt. I prefer to wait and see. He is deserving of a defense, of course.
No cat has my tongue, just rationality and patience. Perhaps you prefer mobs and pitchforks?
Turns out Lara St John isn’t a neutral commentator awaiting the court’s findings: https://theviolinchannel.com/violin-pedagogue-jan-repko-charged-with-sexual-assault/. She’s been briefing the press despite not appearing to have any substantively true or firsthand information about the man or case. Let’s not prejudge the matter.
The Violin Channel never should have published Lara’s comments. She’s called Repko a “lifelong sexual predator” on this very website, revealing her bias and prejudicing ongoing criminal proceedings. It is very easy to fling accusations and make uninformed public pronouncements from the other side of the Atlantic. The fate of the women and man in this case, the truth – undetermined so far-, aren’t a tool to further a personal agenda and burgeoning vendetta.
Another anonymous defender! Isn’t it ironic how I am not anonymous, and yet I am the only survivor here?
Did you make a Facebook video about this case, claiming it is a good thing, without actually sharing any substantive facts. Why are you pursuing this man? Did he slight you?
We are all survivors, hun.
Yes, defending the accuser’s right to be heard and the accused’s right to defend himself. Defending the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Defending due process and justice. You, on the other hand, seem to be reveling in this sad and sordid affair and have jumped to judgement. What’s it to you in Canada?
“Allegations”? What if he is exonerated in a court of law? I suppose the College believes that the cost of his payoff—if he is declared innocent—is far less than if they chose not to “believe all women” even despite a lack of hard evidence.
Bobbitize him.
Calls for violence aren’t the answer.
eye for an eye
Unfortunately the music industry is rife with pedophiles like this bastard, I can only hope that the poor woman who has suffered at the hands of an abuser won’t give up her instrument, like many in similar positions have done.
Perhaps he should give up his …
No judgement has been made on his guilt or lack thereof, yet, Lucy. Let’s wait to see what the court decides. If there are others, I’d urge them to come forward. The Violin Channel has claimed “multiple allegations throughout his career” have been made.
Please refrain from throwing the word Paedophile around so casually – there is no indication whatsoever that this involves a child.
The charge relates to a woman over 16… failure to specify that she is over 18 implies that she’s a minor, but not a ‘child’ as such.
I hope he’s guilty in many ways, it’s already an appalling ordeal if he’s innocent and quite enough punishment if he is not.
Though I have worked with Mr. Repko(and Ms. St John, as it happens) and know him to be a fine musician I have of course no clue about the truth here.
Allegations topple one of the world’s best violin teachers.
Because of their prominence and position, teachers like Repko are much more likely to face false allegations than your average person. That’s why it’s important to let any police investigation and criminal case proceed without being prejudiced by uninformed opinions and petty professional vendettas. The calls for restraint and due process in this thread are measured and sensible. Others implying unsubtly that Repko is a “sexual predator”, claiming victimhood and to be in possession of damning insider knowledge do so without providing any proof. The truth will set us free.
Bear in mind that teachers like Repko can often get away far more often with such behaviour than your average person for this very reason: their position of power and prominence. If there exists an allegation that has gotten this far, I suspect there is enough evidence to suggest there is an element of truth here. Of course one must allow the events to play out and one should take a measured approach, but there is a very real possibility that this man, and many others like him, have been abusing their privilege as teacher.
I could give you a couple of hundred names, unfortunately. Most are never called to account.
He has pled not guilty to the two counts and it sounds like this whole sorry affair is going to drag out for two years. If he is not guilty, will he get the final years of his teaching career back?
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/royal-college-music-violin-tutor-sexual-assault-jan-repko-amsterdam-netherlands-b1122306.html