When role models get it wrong

One of the saddest stories of 2007 was the jailing of early music conductor Robert King for almost four years for sexually abusing minors between 1982 and 1995. For many, including his agents, Robert King is now history. Type his name as a search on the Harrison Parrott website and this is the response - 'Sorry, we couldn't find a match for your search words. Please try again.'

But trying again elsewhere produces the same result. Go to the website of the eponymous ensemble that the acclaimed conductor founded and you will find history rewritten. Founder Robert King's name is deleted totally from the history of the King's Consort', although they are still happy to profit from online sales of his CDs. Thank heavens for Hyperion, who are one of the few organisations happy to maintain their links with this important musician.

Different treatment for a role model that got it wrong is reported in today's Guardian. In a story that starts 'When your performance is measured by how fast you can drive on the track, sticking to speed limits in your private life can be a bit of a nuisance' the paper reports that Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was fined €600 and had his license suspended for a month for driving at 122mph in an 80mph speed limit in northern France.

Lewis Hamilton has received wide media coverage as a role model for young Black people, but that is not important apparently. Speaking about the motoring offence a spokesperson for Hamilton's employer Team McLaren said "We were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France whilst driving in a private capacity. We understand he has received a mandatory fine and suspension from driving in France for one month."

I am not contesting the pain and damage caused by sexual abuse, and I have have actively championed black role models here. But could Team McLaren, and others, please remember, as Christmas approaches, that a thousand people are killed every year in Britain alone by speeding drivers, and that also means a dreadful amount of pain and damage to innocent families?

Passing sentence on Robert King, Judge Hezlett Colgan told King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time." So are many of the victims of speeding drivers. Perhaps role model Lewis Hamilton should be made aware that sticking to speed limits really isn't such a nuisance, even in a private capacity? By the same token, in this season of goodwill, the classical music community could reflect for a moment on the contribution made by Robert King.

If you still need convincing follow this link.
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A tale of two Guardian headlines

Michael pays penalty for driving while unfit - Singer given 100 hours' community service - Judge's best wishes to star before Wembley concert ~Guardian June 9 (above).

Conductor jailed for groping youths - An orchestra conductor was jailed for nearly four years after using his "god-like" status to grope a string of gifted teenage musicians ~ Guardian Unlimited June 4 (below).


Robert King links here. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk

The choice of Hercules

A leading British orchestra conductor has been jailed for nearly four years for sexually abusing young boys. Imposing sentence totalling three years nine months, Judge Hezlett Colgan told Robert King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time. "In the case of four of them you were a trusted mentor and friend and trusted completely by their families". Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, said...all were now adults and although some of their recollections might now be "hazy", the accounts they had given police contained "very similar features". - BBC News June 4th 2007

A woman was yesterday handed an eight-month suspended sentence for knocking down and killing a cyclist while test driving a sports car in high stiletto heels. Julie Hunter, 42, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after the sports car she was driving spun out of control, killing 21-year-old Debbie Riches. The judge said Hunter had been devastated by the accident, but road safety campaigners said the sentence was not severe enough. Miss Hunter, of Colchester, Essex, was test driving the red £15,000 Alpha Romeo Spyder on a residential street when the car went into a spin. The vehicle hit 21-year old Miss Riches, sending her 20ft into the air and then trapping her under the vehicle. Hunter had been driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone - Scotsman May 22nd 2007.

The Choice of Hercules by Handel with Robert King conducting the King's Consort and Choir is available on Hyperion.
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk

Conductor Robert King jailed

BBC News reports ~ A leading British orchestra conductor has been jailed for nearly four years for sexually abusing young boys. Robert King (left), 46, assaulted five youngsters, one when he was 12 years old, after plying them with alcohol, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

One of the boys said he was "sexually used" for years at King's home in Ealing, west London. Mr King, of Alpherton, Suffolk, was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault between 1982 and 1995. The court was told he was very well-known in musical circles and was in a position to advance the careers of the boys.

The conductor has worked on film music for Ridley Scott's Kingdom Of Heaven, Shrek 2 and The Da Vinci Code. He had also presented programmes for the BBC and toured the world with several orchestras.

Imposing sentence totalling three years nine months, Judge Hezlett Colgan told King: "Your victims were in their early or mid-teens at the time. "In the case of four of them you were a trusted mentor and friend and trusted completely by their families."

Sarah Whitehouse, prosecuting, said three of his victims were under 16 and claimed some of the attacks occurred "under the guise of some sort of game, such as a mock wrestle". She told the court each of the five he allegedly targeted kept quiet about what had happened for many years. All were now adults and although some of their recollections might now be "hazy", the accounts they had given police contained "very similar features".

King, who was cleared of one count of indecent assault, told the court that all those levelling allegations against him were "absolute" liars.

Now read about the choice of Hercules
Story from BBC News. Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk

Meanwhile, in the real world ...

I've been doing some very rewarding media training with young victims of crime for the charity Victim Support Norfolk. Here are the results from BBC TV News. You can catch a glimpse of me in the middle of the human knot, which is kind of appropriate.