Former Melbourne Symphony Orchestra choirmaster jailed in UK for child sex crimes
A former choirmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will spend 24 years behind bars after he was convicted for the systematic sexual abuse of a girl her met when she was just five years old.
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A former choirmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has been jailed for 24 years for the systematic sexual abuse of a girl he met when she was just five years old.
Jonathan Smith, 57, who went by the name Grieves-Smith in his music career, was convicted of 16 sex offences, including two rapes.
The attacks occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s but the victim was too scared to speak about the crimes for more than two decades.
Grieves-Smith abused the girl while he was living in Lewes, near Brighton, about 90 minutes south of London.
Grieves-Smith’s victim said in a statement that was presented to Hove Crown Court that the abuse had fundamentally affected her life.
“The impact of what he did to me for so many years has caused me long term trauma in most aspects of my life, and for so long cast a terrible shadow over my reality, causing a ripple effect out to those who could see me struggling, haunted by something unseen, causing upset and pain all around,” she said.
“Keeping silent kept me in a cage of self-destruction.”
The victim added it was traumatic to finally speak out and report the abuse.
“After many years into my adulthood, I was able to confide in my family, who every step of the way, have been loving and fully supportive,” she said.
“I was believed and heard, and I am so thankful to have my family know the truth.
“The life I had to survive while I grew up in silence was not happy, I did not feel like other children, I felt dirty and had to keep secrets.”
Grieves-Smith, who moved to Melbourne in 1998, also manipulated her family, she said.
“I hope Smith will never have the chance to hurt or ruin the lives of other trusting children and their families through his manipulative and evil ways,” the victim added.
Detective Constable Lisa Wells of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said the victim was brave.
“It took four years to ensure Smith’s return from Australia to face justice and she then gave evidence which helped ensure his conviction at court,” she said.
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Grieves-Smith retired from the MSO in 2015, where he was lauded for his 16 years of service.
MSO Managing Director, André Gremillet said at the time the MSO was “most grateful for his artistic vision, dedication, and hard work.”
“Under Jonathan’s leadership, the MSO Chorus has garnered national and international recognition, and its artistic growth has simply been outstanding,” Gremillet said.
Smith paid tribute to the MSO Chorus on his retirement saying: “I can only be grateful and proud for the experiences I have shared with them, it has been wonderful.”
- with Henry Goodwin
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
Originally published as Former Melbourne Symphony Orchestra choirmaster jailed in UK for child sex crimes
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