Former violin tutor Jan Repko has been cleared of sexually assaulting a prospective student in London. The 68-year-old, who taught at two of Manchester's most distinguished music institutions, was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court.
Allegations and trial
Repko, from Walworth, south-east London, was accused of sexually assaulting the complainant during a consultation session that was effectively a 'taster session' at the Royal College of Music in South Kensington, where he was working at the time. The court heard he met the woman, who played violin pieces for him.
He also taught at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, both in Manchester city centre. Repko told the court he had been giving the complainant exercises to help her relax and improve her technique.
Defence and verdict
One exercise involved correcting her posture by asking her to stand up straight and lean back. It was alleged he sexually assaulted her while demonstrating that movement. Repko said he told the complainant he was going to 'try something to get her more relaxed'. He said: “I left my chair, I started facing her… I told her what I was going to do, what I wanted her to do. I told her I wanted her to lean backwards during this exercise, and I showed her where I was going to touch her.”
Repko said he asked the woman twice if it was OK to touch her, and she agreed. He placed one hand on her hip and another on her back, telling her to stand up straight 'like a plank'. He said the exercise was successful, and he noticed a change in the sound of her violin.
The jury deliberated for four hours before returning not guilty verdicts on Monday (August 3) for sexual assault by touching and assault by penetration. The charges related to the same complainant, who cannot be identified. Repko nodded to jurors after the verdicts, then wheeled his khaki bag from the dock and clasped the hand of a woman in the public gallery.
