Jury finds renowned musician Timothy Adrian Sexton guilty of sex offending against two teenage music students in 1980s

Renowned musician and former State Opera boss Timothy Adrian Sexton sexually abused two of his teenage students in the 1980s, a jury has found.

Timothy Adrian Sexton outside the District Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

One of South Australia’s most renowned musicians and composers has been convicted of sexually abusing two of his teenage music students in the 1980s.

After less than four hours’ deliberation, a District Court jury of seven men and five women found Timothy Adrian Sexton guilty of teen sex offending.

In unanimous decisions, jurors found Sexton guilty of two separate counts of maintaining unlawful sexual relationships with the girls, both of whom were under the age of legal consent.

However, the jurors unanimously found Sexton not guilty of having indecently assaulted and having unlawful sex with a third girl who had also made allegations.

As the verdicts were handed down, members of Sexton’s family wept in the public gallery.

Sexton showed no visible reaction to the verdicts, nor to Judge Geraldine Davison’s decision to immediately revoke his bail and remand him in custody.

Sexton, 60, of Birdwood, joined the State Opera in 2011 and stood down as its chief executive and artistic director in May 2017.

Timothy Sexton, joined the State Opera in 2011 and stood down in 2017.

At the time, chairman John Irving said the renowned conductor had resigned “for personal reasons” – Sexton had been charged with the offences a month prior.

At trial, Sexton pleaded not guilty to 17 child sex offences arising from alleged acts against three female students, across seven suburbs, over a four-year period.

Prosecutors alleged he framed his abuse in romantic terms, “beguiling” the girls with presents and attention so they would become “infatuated” by, and “loyal” to, him.

His conduct, they alleged, ranged from risque comments to sexual intercourse and included exposing himself while saying “I would like you to meet Percy”.

Sexton gave evidence, telling jurors there was nothing “coquettish” nor “flirtatious” in his teaching relationships with the women.

One of the alleged victims, he claimed, “planted a kiss” on him – he said he did not “vilify” her for the “spontaneous, silly” act because “everyone gets to make a mistake”.

On Thursday, Judge Davison revoked Sexton’s bail due to recently changed legislation that prohibits convicted sex offenders from serving suspended sentences.

He will face court again in June for sentencing submissions, including the reading of victim impact statements.