Hornchurch choirmaster Thomas Rodgers jailed for child abuse

Thomas Rodgers was 17 or 18 when he subjected children aged between five and 11 to horrific abuse. 

One victim, facing his abuser in court, said: “My earliest childhood memory is seared into my mind. Being forced into a bathroom with Thomas Rodgers and being forced to perform unspeakable acts.” 

The other victim described Rodgers as a “monster” and said: “He robbed me of the innocence and joy of my youth and adulthood.” 

Rodgers, now 44, of Balmoral Close in Billericay, was convicted of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child – offences which have been replaced in UK law since the late 1990s. 

Judge Louise Kamill said that, had the offences taken place after these law changes, Rodgers would have been charged with rape of a child under 13, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. 

'Monster'

The younger victim was between five and eight when he was sexually abused by Rodgers at least four times, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told on Monday (January 22). 

He described how he had hidden what had happened to him out of shame and fear. 

Later he downplayed or even trivialised the abuse to cope with the trauma. 

“It took me until the age of 25 to disclose the abuse to anyone because of the fear and embarrassment of being ostracised,” he said. 

The other victim, who was between eight and 11 when the abuse took place, went to police about the abuse in 2011. 

Judge Kamill said: “For some unfathomable reason, it wasn’t followed up by the police.” 

But he came forward to report the abuse again in January 2019 and, in December 2023, Rodgers was convicted by a jury. 

The older victim told Rodgers the trauma he had inflicted had left him with depression, post traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. 

 "I hope your family are happy and proud of what a monster you are," he told Rodgers.

“I’m proud I’ve come forward. I’m proud I’m surviving here today. And I’m proud that nobody will ever have to go through what I went through with you.” 

A career in teaching

After these offences took place in the 1990s, Rodgers went to university to study music. 

He has since taught in schools, played a key part in choirs including as musical director of the Hornchurch Can’t Sing Choir, and privately tutored piano and flute. 

Last week a joint investigation by the Romford Recorder and MyLondon revealed that Rodgers continued to teach young children at his home while on post-conviction bail. 

Rodgers’ victims said they were deeply concerned about this. 

One said the many years since the abuse happened led him to believe there may be other victims of Rodgers.

Thomas Rodgers (Image: Met Police)Prosecutor Babatunde Alabi asked Judge Kamill to make a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which would ban Rodgers from being in contact with children without the prior consent of their parents, social services and the police. 

Mr Alabi said: “The reason we are seeking this is because the defendant still has unfettered access to young children, and that is a concern.” 

Unlike school teachers, private tutors are not currently required to have an enhanced DBS check which would flag if they have a criminal record or are banned from working with children.    

But barrister Claire Cooper, representing Rodgers, said Rodgers had already informed all the parents of his underage pupils. 

“Mr Rodgers contacted each and every one of the parents by email to notify them of the conviction and to indicate to them of the conviction,” Ms Cooper said. 

She said some of the parents withdrew their children from Rodgers’ tuition while others continued. 

Ms Cooper urged Judge Kamill not to impose the SHPO. 

“Far from the youth who was found guilty of these offences, he has grown to be an upstanding member of the community, who is widely respected and gives back,” she said. 

“All I ask on behalf of Mr Rodgers is that the court takes into account that these offences were from a quarter of a lifetime ago when he was a youth himself.” 

Rodgers was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday (January 22) (Image: PA)

Four years

Judge Kamill decided not to impose the SHPO and Rodgers will therefore be able to return to private tutoring when he is released from prison. 

She said: “Clearly it is desirable that anybody you teach in the future is over 16, or the parent or guardian is aware of your past."

The judge said the offences took place many years ago and "there has been no recurrence". 

“In the circumstances, having listened to all the steps you have taken since the conviction, I do not make a sexual harm prevention order. 

“It is not, in my opinion, necessary, although I strongly advise that should you continue to teach, you contact the parent of any child and make them aware.” 

Turning to the prison sentence, Judge Kamill said that Rodgers’ abuse had clearly had a huge impact on both of his victims' lives. 

“It is clear that the extent of the abuse has effected them differently, but fundamentally in both cases,” she said. 

Judge Kamill sentenced Rodgers to four years in prison. 

She added: “In my view, the real punishment on you is the effect on your reputation and your personal and professional life.”