Breaking: Leading early music player is charged with rape

The release below has just dropped from City of London Police.

Philip Pickett, 63, is a much-recorded ensemble director and recorder player. He leads the New London Consort and Musicians of the Globe.

He has been charged with 15 offences apparently against nine victims while teaching at the Guildhall School of Music in London from 1972 onwards. Presumptions of innocence apply until guilt is proven.

12 February 2014

For immediate release

Man charged over historic sex offences

City of London Police has today, Wednesday 12^th February, charged a 63-year-old man with 15 historic offences, relating to nine separate victims.

These charges include eight counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape, two counts of false imprisonment, one count of assault and one count of attempted rape.

Philip John Pickett, from Lyneham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, a former freelance teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama is accused of,

• Rape (contrary to section 1(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st October 1977 and 30th November 1977.
• Rape (contrary to section 1(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st October 1977 and 30th April 1978.
• Rape (contrary to section 1(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st September 1978 and 30th September 1978.
• Attempted rape (contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981), which occurred between 1st January 1988 and 30th January 1988.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1974 and 31st December 1974.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1974 and 31st December 1975.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st September 1978 and 30th September 1978.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1977 and 31st December 1979.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1980 and 31st December 1981.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1983 and 31st December 1984.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1988 and 31st December 1988.
• Indecent assault (contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), which occurred between 1st January 1988 and 31st December 1988.
• Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which occurred between 1st January 1971 and 31st December 1974.
• False imprisonment which occurred between 1st October 1977 and 30th November 1977
• False imprisonment which occurred between 1st January 1988 and 31st December 1988.

Mr Pickett, who was a freelance teacher at the school between 1972 and 1997, has been bailed to attend City Magistrates Court on 28^th February.

Anyone with information that may assist with this investigation is encouraged to contact City of London Police on 020 7601 8177/8175  or via the 101 non emergency number, you can also email: investigation@cityoflondon.police.uk. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.