MICHAEL CROMBIE: WOODFORD SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN EAST LONDON

In a case that has spanned several decades and uncovered disturbing patterns of abuse, Michael Crombie, a 75-year-old man from Woodford Green, North London, has been convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. His criminal activities, which date back to the 1960s, came to light through a series of court proceedings that revealed a long history of predatory behavior while he was employed as a music teacher at schools in east London, including Beal Grammar School and Wanstead High School.

During the court hearings, it was established that Crombie had indecently assaulted a total of 47 children over a period stretching from 1964 to 1993. These assaults took place both within the school environment and during private lessons at his home. The court heard that he targeted 16 pupils at Beal Grammar School and Wanstead High School, where he worked as a teacher, exploiting his position of trust to carry out his disturbing acts.

In addition to these charges, Crombie admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a child on two separate occasions between 2005 and 2007. Despite these admissions, he denied two counts of rape and a further 26 counts of indecent assault, which were ordered to be kept on file by the court. His criminal record was further compounded by a previous conviction in 2010 at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he was found guilty of inappropriately touching nine students between 1993 and 2001.

His initial sentence for these offenses was seven years, but it was later reduced to five years on appeal. Crombie was scheduled for release in May 2013, but the court's judgment highlighted serious concerns about the failure of school authorities to act on prior complaints made by students. Judge Wendy Joseph criticized the institutions for not taking adequate steps to prevent Crombie from continuing his predatory behavior, despite multiple reports from girls who had been victimized.

Judge Joseph emphasized that the complaints made to the schools were not taken seriously, allowing Crombie to persist in his abuse. The investigation into Crombie's activities was triggered after his retirement, when police began looking into allegations of molestation linked to his private tutoring sessions. The judge sentenced him to an additional three years, citing the need to adhere to the sentencing guidelines in effect at the time. Impact statements from victims revealed that Crombie's actions had profoundly affected their lives, with many describing how he manipulated and seduced innocent, trusting girls.

Further revelations emerged in December 2012, when Crombie admitted to molesting an additional 16 young children. These charges related to his time teaching at Beal Grammar School and Wanstead High School, as well as during private lessons at his residence. Crombie's disturbing fetishes, including a water fetish, were also disclosed, with reports indicating that he had filmed and watched his victims breathe underwater, adding a bizarre and sinister dimension to his crimes.

In May 2011, Crombie's sentence for the 1993-2001 offenses was reduced from seven to five years after an appeal on health grounds. He was then eligible to apply for parole in August of the following year. His previous conviction involved persuading a young girl to remove her clothes and submerge herself in his bath while he recorded her, further illustrating the extent of his depravity.

Throughout the proceedings, Crombie's actions were described as taking over the lives of his victims, many of whom were young girls between the ages of 10 and 12. His abuse was characterized by a pattern of manipulation, exploitation, and the use of his position as a teacher and community figure, including his involvement with the Rotary Club. The court also noted that Crombie had made eight films of his exploits, including footage of a girl struggling for air in his bath.

Judge Inigo Bing, who presided over Crombie's latest sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, condemned his actions and emphasized the gravity of his offenses. Crombie was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, and a sexual offences prevention order was imposed to prevent any unsupervised contact with children. The court also identified that Crombie possessed considerable assets, leading to an order for the recovery of £30,000 in defense costs. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding children from predators.