A music teacher who sexually abused children has been jailed for 12 years.

Derek Turner, 66 of The Oaks, Wickford, appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday where he was jailed after being convicted of a series of vile sex crimes.

An investigation into Turner was launched in July 2020, when two victims contacted Essex Police to report that they had been sexually assaulted by Turner multiple times between 1992 and 2007.

Acting Det Insp Tiffany Gore said: “I would like to praise the victims and their family for their courage in coming forward and reporting their abuse to the police.

“The victims were made to re-live the horrendous abuse they were put through as children, in order to secure justice, simply because Turner would not admit to what he had done. During sentencing Turner was described as a perverted and manipulative abuser.

“The impact these crimes have had on the victims and their family has been catastrophic, and I only hope that this result, will go some way to providing them with some form of closure. This sentence is a direct result of the bravery the victims have demonstrated throughout, and I commend them for this.

“I would like to encourage any victim of sexual abuse, no matter how old you are or when the offences took place, to report to us. We will always support victims of sexual and child abuse and we work closely with our partners as Synergy, who are able to provide specialist support which is independent from the police.”

When interviewed, Turner denied all offences.

Following an investigation by Essex Police’s child abuse investigation team, Turner was charged with four counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 years, two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, Sexual assault on a Child and Attempted Sexual assault on a Child.

After a two-week trial, Turner was found guilty of all offences and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

He was also put on the Sexual Offenders Register for life, issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and barred from teaching for life.

If you wish to discuss your experiences –  please contact Charles Derham on 02393552153 or by email on charles@remedylaw.co.uk