DAVID WOODGER'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN BRIXTON: PIANO TEACHER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In November 1992, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse involving a well-known piano instructor from Brixton came to light, culminating in his sentencing to six years in prison. David Woodger, aged 57 at the time, was found guilty of subjecting young boys to a series of heinous sexual assaults under the guise of providing piano lessons.

Throughout his career, Woodger exploited the trust placed in him by parents who believed he was imparting musical skills to their children. Unbeknownst to them, he was engaging in a pattern of perverted behavior that spanned several years. His criminal activities persisted despite previous convictions for child molestation, which included a conviction in 1964 for indecently assaulting two young Boy Scouts, marking his third conviction for child abuse.

Woodger’s ability to continue his career was facilitated by his qualification as a piano teacher, which he obtained while serving time in prison. After his release, he managed to secure a livelihood, but this also meant he had ongoing access to young boys, a vulnerability he exploited repeatedly. His offenses resumed shortly after his release in 1981, following a 30-month jail sentence for indecently assaulting two eight-year-old boys. All of his victims lived within walking distance of his residence on Sudbourne Road, Brixton.

One particular case involved a boy whose parents arranged for weekly piano lessons in the early 1980s. According to prosecutor Mr. Malcolm Fortune, initially, Woodger’s conduct appeared to be innocent, but it soon escalated. He began shifting his hands from the piano keys to the boy’s trousers, and the abuse intensified to include serious sexual assaults, including acts of buggery. The boy’s mother was told of the abuse, but she initially dismissed it, assuming her son was fabricating the story. However, concerns grew when another parent, suspecting inappropriate behavior, investigated and discovered reports of Woodger’s convictions in the South London Press.

In 1986, this parent shared the information with other parents, some of whom withdrew their children from Woodger’s lessons, while others continued to allow their children to be taught by him. Police inquiries at the time yielded no immediate results, and the abuse continued unnoticed. Meanwhile, the boy who had suffered a nervous breakdown was showing signs of severe psychological distress, including staring at others and disruptive behavior. His parents believed the breakdown was directly linked to the abuse he endured, and he was hospitalized for psychiatric observation. It was during this hospitalization that he disclosed the abuse to social workers.

Woodger was finally arrested in 1989 after multiple allegations from six boys who claimed to have been abused. During the subsequent court proceedings, he initially denied all charges but later admitted to indecently assaulting two boys and engaging in buggery with two others. The prosecution decided not to pursue charges related to the remaining two boys to avoid subjecting them to further trauma during court testimony.

Defense lawyer Mr. James Wood presented character references from parents of current pupils, describing Woodger as 'considerate, helpful, and kind.' He argued that since 1984, the last known offense, Woodger had made efforts to control his tendencies. However, Judge Israel Finestein QC emphasized the gravity of Woodger’s crimes, noting that his pleas came too late and that his offending was exceedingly serious. The judge pointed out that Woodger’s actions were driven by personal gratification and occurred repeatedly, even after previous convictions.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Finestein underscored the importance of protecting children from authority figures who betray their trust. As Woodger was led away to begin his six-year sentence, he appeared unconcerned, leaving a chilling reminder of the betrayal of innocence that had taken place in Brixton.