Famous Concert Pianist on Trial for Sexually Assaulting Boys

A famous concert pianist has gone on trial yesterday accused of sexually assaulting boys who came to him for music lessons. John Briggs, 65, is appearing at Bradford Crown Court charged in connection with offences against five boys spanning a 24-year period from 1969 to 1992.

The youngest was 10 years old at the time of the alleged offence. Briggs who denies all the charges sat in the dock as Nicholas Worsley prosecuting outlined the allegations made by the boys.

“He is a professional musician. He plays the piano. He is a concert pianist. In the past he has taken private pupils for music lessons. During the course of those lessons he would sexually assault boys he was supposed to be teaching”

– NICHOLAS WORSLEY, PROSECUTOR, BRADFORD CROWN COURT

Briggs of Little Lane, East Morton, near Keighley sat alone in the dock listening to the prosecution opening, wearing a jacket and tie. He denies nine counts of indecent assault on a male and one of indecency with a child.