A DISGRACED magistrate, Church of England minister and music teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing a young girl 10 years ago.

Christopher Tadman-Robins, 66, of Upper End, Shipton-Under-Wychwood, has begun a two-and-a-half year jail sentence.

He was ordained in 1989 but in the last 20 years has only conducted occasional services in West Oxfordshire.

He also sat as a magistrate at the former court in Witney, taught music and was a former musical director of the Northern Ballet.

But Judge Philip Bartle QC said his good character and contribution to society did not spare him from an immediate custodial sentence.

Jailing him yesterday, he told Tadman-Robins: “Your victim was aged from 10 to 12 and you were in your 50s. The impact on her of these offences has been devastating. She has suffered untold stress and has self-harmed.

“Your actions took away her innocence which is something from which she will never recover.”

Tadman-Robins was convicted by a jury at Luton Crown Court last month on five charges of indecent assault. He was found not guilty of a sixth charge.

The victim, who reported the abuse when she was an adult, told the jury he had kissed her passionately and touched her intimately.

In a victim impact statement, she said she had suffered low self esteem, panic attacks and had needed medication and therapy. She also said having to give evidence at his trial was devastating.

Tadman-Robin's lawyer urged the court to suspend the sentence, saying there had been no other allegations of impropriety.

In a statement released after the conviction, the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, said: “Any case like this is a matter of sorrow and regret for the Church of England. We recognise that the suffering of survivors of sexual abuse is profound and long lasting.

“We would expect Dr Tadman-Robins to be referred for barring and prohibited from ever holding office in the Church of England again as a result of this conviction. All those involved in this sad case are in my thoughts and prayers.”