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| Piano Man: Eglinton |
A talented young pianist-to-the-stars, who has performed at the Savoy hotel and Wentworth Golf Club, has received a suspended sentence for inciting a 12 year-old girl to have sex with him.
Jazz and Blues musician Matthew Eglinton, 26, has played for the late Sir Bruce Forsyth and Des O’Connor and accompanied comic Bobby Davro’s stage show.
Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard the schoolgirl, who dreams of becoming an actress, would climb out of her bedroom window for secret late-night dates with the pianist.
He sent her explicit texts and facebook messages boasting of his size and sexual prowess, fantasising about what he would do to her and vice versa.
Eglinton, of Clover Rise, Plymouth, Devon pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity between July 1 and September 30, last year while he was living in Twickenham.
An additional count of grooming the youngster for sex was dropped by the prosecution. The maximum sentence he faced was 14 years.
He moved to London to advance his career and has also played at the Oval Cricket Ground; the Four Seasons Hotel, Canary Wharf; Elstree Film studios and live venues including the Alleycat Club and Phoenix Artists Club.
Prosecutor Miss Fern Russell said the girl revealed everything to a school youth worker last September. “She told the worker she was dating a ‘Matthew’ and they loved each other.
“He treated her like a china doll and she felt loved and said she felt so strongly she would self-harm or commit suicide if there were any consequences, like prison, for him.”
The girl initially told Eglinton she was 16 years-old, but then said she was only 13 years-old and he told her he was twenty.
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| Court Date: Eglinton |
“He took a naked upper torso photo of himself and told her he would like to engage in sexual activity with her.
“He said what he would like to do to her and what he would like her to do with him and it was graphic and forceful.
“He told her she was gorgeous and attractive and asked her to engage in sexual acts.”
The girl told police they kissed passionately, describing it as “snogging”, but Eglinton initially told police there was no physical contact.
As well as meeting in Eglinton’s back garden the pair met in local parks, exchanging kisses while sitting on a bench.
The prosecution say the explicit messaging and meetings lasted between two and four weeks.
Eglinton initially fought the case, forcing the girl to give evidence and accusing her of “making it up”, but changed his plea and also admitted the kissing.
His lawyer Miss Hannah Duncan told the court today: “He is a young twenty-six year-old in looks and behaviour and at that time was extremely naive.
“So many people speak of him so highly. He has genuine remorse and the ability to change.”
Eglinton’s parents, brother and 28 year-old girlfriend were in court supporting him, with his father addressing Judge Timothy Lamb QC, and asking for “leniency.”
The pianist, who has also performed in the south of France and Tokyo, is also one-half of jazz duo ‘Blue Croon’ and plays at weddings and parties.
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| Mugshot: Eglinton In Custody |
He has also been the musical director for shows as Guildford County Club, the Theatre Royal Winchester and Waterloo East Theatre, which included a production about the life of French singer Edith Piaf, called ‘Love Conquers All.’
“The most recent suicide attempt was no more than a month ago,” added Miss Duncan. “A custodial sentence would effect him perhaps more than some others, he’s not mentally strong, not equipped for custody.
“It’s been absolute hell this potential custodial sentence hanging over him.”
Judge Lamb sentenced Eglinton to two years imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered him to pay £1500 costs.
He must also attend thirty days rehab, plus up to 100 days of a sex offenders programme.
An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made and Eglinton must also sign the sex offenders register.
“It is not said that the complainant has suffered severe psychological harm from this relationship,” announced the judge.
“Indeed, she declines today to give a victim impact statement and I am told she is troubled by the prospect of the defendant losing his liberty.”
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