Ex-Guildhall School Music Teacher Accused Of Raping Two Women And Indecently Assaulting Others

A former tutor at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, accused of rape and indecent assault offences against seven women and a girl in the 70's and 80's, appeared for the first time at City of London Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Musician Philip John Elwyn Pickett, 63, of Lyneham Farm Cottages, Lyneham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, was described in court as a part-time professor of music at the £10,000 a year school and since leaving has toured all over the world.

Most of the complainants are students and many of the offences are said to have occurred in a darkened sound-proofed basement music room, although one allegedly happened in a deserted country lane in the woman's car. 

Graduates of the school include Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig and Ewan McGregor. 

Pickett plays the recorder and has directed early music ensembles, including the New London Consort and Musicians of the Globe and has collaborated with members of the folk rock group Fairport Convention. 

He is charged with raping one woman twice between October 1, 1977 and April 30, 1978, raping another between September 1 and September 30, 1978 and attempting to rape a third between January 1 and 30, 1988 and falsely imprisoning her on that occasion.

He is additionally charged that on a day between October 1 and November 30, 1977 he falsely imprisoned the woman he is charged with raping twice.

Pickett is also charged with indecently assaulting six different women on various dates between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1988.

He is additionally charged with indecently assaulting a girl, aged under 14 years-old, between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1975.

Pickett is also charged with assaulting his wife Claire Russell, causing her actual bodily harm, between January 1 and 31, 1971 by punching her in the face and cracking her jaw.

The Crown Prosecution Service revealed there are at least 102 potential witnesses.

Pickett, who has been on bail since August, last year was released on conditional bail to appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on March 17, including an order not to contact any prosecution witnesses or leave the UK without permission.