Vincent Gordon Edwards, 87, will return to court later this year. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual assault.
An accomplished music teacher accused of sexually abusing a child in Canberra decades ago laughed when told about the allegations against him, police claimed.
Vincent Gordon Edwards, an 87-year-old retiree who lives in the town of Tathra in South East NSW, faced court over the allegations for the first time last week.
It is alleged that a girl was sexually assaulted multiple times when she was in primary school and attending violin lessons in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a police spokesperson has previously said.
It is alleged these lessons took place at what was known as the Canberra School of Music, the Canberra Institute of the Arts and the Australian National University’s School of Music.
The now-adult alleged victim approached police earlier this year, sparking an investigation into Mr Edwards.
READ ALSO: MP reveals name of Cheryl Grimmer’s confessed murderer
Police interviewed Mr Edwards at his home in Tathra in September before he was issued a summons to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court.
The Australian Federal Police prepared documents for when he faced court that say he is well-connected and was previously respected in the music community, specifically the violin community.
A number of successful performers credited their start in music to his mentorship.
“Previously employed as the head of the string department at the Australian National University (ANU), the defendant had substantial influence and connections with several colleagues, students and the broader music community,” they said.
Police allege that since Mr Edwards was served a summons to appear in court, he has been contacting numerous people in the music community, as well as former colleagues, giving them details about the allegations.
There was concern that these people might be potential witnesses.
READ ALSO: Ex-music teacher accused of raping child allegedly started contacting witnesses
Police said it appeared Mr Edwards thought the allegations “stemmed from a squabble between himself and the victim’s mother” and he did not understand their gravity.
“This was exhibited during his record of interview, where he laughed upon hearing the allegations and described the victim as ‘sick in the head’ and ‘clearly mentally unwell’,” police alleged.
In the documents, police said they did not think Mr Edwards would commit an offence while on bail, noting the allegations were historical and he no longer had access to children.
In court last week, Magistrate Amy Begley was satisfied there was a risk of him interfering with witnesses’ evidence and placed him on bail with agreed conditions.
Mr Edwards has been handed seven counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 11 counts of committing an act of indecency involving a child under 10 and single counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16, as well as committing an act of indecency involving a child under 16.
The matter was adjourned to December. No pleas were entered.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
