Brentwood/Havering: Former teacher and choirmaster jailed for 12 years

“Thank you for trusting us with your stories”.

That’s the message from one of our detectives to the 19 men abused or filmed without their consent by former teacher and choirmaster musician David Pickthall who has today (Monday 11 November) been sentenced.

The survivors themselves have thanked our officers for the support they were provided and for the efforts to secure justice.

Pickthall, 66, of Cheveley Park, Cheveley, had previously admitted 29 offences – 16 counts of indecent assault, 10 counts of voyeurism, and three counts of making an indecent image of a child.

The offences related to 19 people, the majority of whom were boys at the time, between 1980 and 2021.

During some of this period Pickthall worked as a choirmaster in the Havering district and as a music teacher in Brentwood.

Some of the survivors told our officers that Pickthall had them stay at his home address and show them pornographic material, while also taking advantage of situations where he was alone with them to assault them.

Officers also discovered that, in the months before his arrest in 2021 Pickthall had been engaging in sexual communication with a 15 year-old boy on the messaging app Telegram.

Videos and images were also located at his home of young men and boys. Officers established that Pickthall had filmed men and boys without their knowledge or consent while they were staying at his home.

He also created social media accounts, pretending to be someone else, to obtain indecent images of children.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court, with a further four on extended licence.

The investigation was carried out by our Quest team, which is made up of specially trained officers dedicated to investigation non-recent child sexual abuse.

This case has been the largest of its kind carried out by the team.

The officer who led the investigation, Detective Constable Chelsie Stamford, said:

“The scale of David Pickthall’s offending – both in terms of the number of people he targeted and the four decades in which it took place – is horrifying.
“I want to praise the courage of all those involved in the investigation for coming forward and telling us what happened.
“They have been subjected to ordeals which have had long lasting and deeply felt impacts. No-one should have to experience what they have, and I want to thank them for trusting us.
“Pickthall’s actions, and the lengths he went to for his own gratification, give the impression he never thought he would be caught and he could offend with impunity.
“Thanks to the bravery of the men involved in this investigation, he is now behind bars.
“Sadly, I do not believe Pickthall’s offending is limited to the 19 men involved in this investigation.
“I strongly suspect there are other people who will have been targeted and abused by him who we’ve not been able to identify.
“My message to you is please come and talk to us. You will be listened to, and we will investigate”.

A number of survivors of David Pickthall’s abuse have told us the impact it has had and have urged anyone else affected to come forward.

They have also thanked Essex Police for the support they received after reporting what had happened to them.

They all have anonymity for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 so we have given them pseudonyms.

These are their stories.

Mark, not his real name, said:

“I met David Pickthall at a time where I didn’t fit in with the people around me.
“I felt really isolated and was struggling to make friends, and it was then that he started to groom me.
“It’s not the physical element which has the greatest impact, but the mental and psychological side.
“He told me that no-one would find me attractive so I should be grateful, and that has stayed with me through my life.
“As a result I really struggled with low self-esteem and had a negative view of myself. I was diagnosed with depression at university and have needed psychiatric care at different points as an adult.
“And what Pickthall did has impacted other relationships I’ve had. Because I was left feeling I had no self-worth, I was really socially awkward growing up and it meant I didn’t have the life experience other teenage boys did at the time.
“So when as an adult someone showed interest in me, and because I was naïve and lacking self-worth because of the impact of what Pickthall had done, I jumped into a relationship which ended up being really abusive. And that also did a lot of damage.
“I’m now in a loving relationship and my wife is so caring and supportive. She’s been able to see there’s a good person under all the damage and I don’t think I would’ve got through this without her support.
“I’ve recently started going to the gym, which I’ve found really uplifting and I’m far more positive about my own body. And generally I’m in a better place and life is good now.
“I decided to go to the police because I’m a dad and I felt I needed to do everything I could to protect my child.
“I’d seen other high-profile cases of abuse and that gave me confidence that I would be listened to.
“The officer in the case, Chelsie, has been fantastic. I don’t think there’s anything she could have done better.
“She wasn’t judgemental at all and she never disbelieved anything I said. I was being trusted and believed and I was supported all the way through.
“It was a huge relief.
“Before you report to the police it can be quite frightening – you don’t know how it’ll work, if you’ll be believed but they’ve been exceptionally supportive.
“And if by reading this statement and hearing my experience just one more person comes forward then it’s worth it.
“Until you do come forwards you will always carry this baggage around with you.
“Even though it’s a difficult process to go through once you’ve got rid of that baggage life will be so much better.”

Edward, not his real name, said:

“For a great deal of my life, I have blocked out what happened to me.
“When I was first contacted by the police, I didn’t want to be involved in the investigation. I had purposefully forgotten it and it has taken a lot to recall it.
“But the more I thought about it, the more I felt I had a morale duty to report what happened to me because he’s done this to a lot of people.
“What I find so shocking is that it happened to so many people and I cannot believe it is just 19.
“Also, as a dad, I felt I needed to do all I can to protect my child.
“Because I’d buried it so deep, I don’t have a lot of memories from my teenage years.
“In my formative years I struggled to fit in, and music was the thing I was good at. It should have been my safe space. It shouldn’t have been an invite to take advantage of.
“And I now wonder, was I actually that good at music. Or just someone vulnerable enough to prey upon.
“Because of what has happened, I no longer have the blissful naivety to go through life and assume that most people have good intentions. That is a dark and sad way to live.
“I am pleased I spoke to the police though and the officer in this case, Chelsie, has been a superstar. She has done a cracking job and I want to thank her. SERICC have also been great, and I’m really grateful for their support.
“If I’d not been forced to deal with this now, it would have come up in my life at some point so, even though I was apprehensive at first, it’s been beneficial.
“If anyone else had been affected, know that it’s confidential and you’re not alone.
“Report it to the police. I’ve found everyone I’ve dealt with exceptionally professional, really kind, and really understanding of all the sensitivities.
“They’ve been really good and easy to deal with, and have understood how strange it is to revisit something from decades ago.
“I also want to say ‘thank you’ to the first person who came forward. Because of them I have been able to confront this trauma now rather than it bubbling up and causing mental health issues at an unexpected time or situation.
“I can also take comfort in the fact that myself and the other 18 people involved in this investigation have probably saved other people from being abused by him.
“The only safe place is for him to behind bars.”

Felix, not his real name, said:

“I spent much of my life burying the abuse deeply into my sub-conscious, trying to deny it ever happened, but this has had a detrimental effect on my mental health for decades.
“My childhood memories of exceptional experiences are now polluted by the recognition that it was part of the deception he used in order to cover the abuse.
“I have no doubt it has caused irreparable damage in some of my relationships, and a lasting impact on others.
“I have experienced erratic behaviour which I put down to the deep effects of hiding and concealing the abuse I suffered, to others as well as myself.
“I have struggled at work, finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks. I find myself freezing suddenly, or stopping midway through a sentence or thought process. It is as if I am feeling in a lingering state of shock.
“Pickthall had a power which made him appear untouchable, which continued for years afterwards and made confiding in friends and family extremely difficult.
“But I am glad I have come forward and told the police what happened.
“The support from Essex Police has been outstanding, and the offer of support from CARA is helping me to move forward.
“And my message to anyone else affected is to overcome the fear, trepidation, and stigma that is often associated with this kind of thing, especially from a male perspective.
“Come forward and report it to the police because you will be supported.”

Simon, not his real name, said:

“What happened to me makes me sad and angry and it has overshadowed areas of my life.
“So many of those experiences have never left me and have had impacted me emotionally, affecting relationships and my work.
“I have felt embarrassment and since the case began have experienced stress and significant feelings of anxiety and depression.
“And over the years I have tried to cope with the mental fatigue and anxiety that has lived in my head and heart and I’ve tried to put the events to bed.
“The officer in this case, Chelsie, has been excellent in moving this case forward though, and bringing it to a conclusion.
“My message to anyone else affected would be that coming forward is about doing the right thing and not letting emotions or the idea that anyone is beyond the system.
“Looking back, you’re very vulnerable when you’re young and people in positions of power are looked up to and held in high regard.
“This does not, in anyway, give them the right to behave in an inappropriate way and manipulate young people who then have to find a way to deal with this for the rest of their lives.
“Ultimately it’s about doing the right thing.”

Paul, not his real name, said:

“The realisation that something like this had happened to me at the hands of someone I trusted and saw as a mentor has really affected me.
“He used his position of trust and responsibility for his own gratification.
“Since being involved in the investigation, and confronting what’s happened, I’ve found I lack trust in people and their motives.
“It’s had a massive impact on my closest relationships, and they may not recover.
“I’ve found talking has helped. Genuinely talking.
“Initially I didn’t talk. The stigma attached to this and the shame I felt prevented it, and I went to some dark places.
“But being encouraged to talk was a lifesaver – literally.
“I felt uncomfortable talking to my wife about it, I felt too much shame about it all, but I knew someone who’d been through something similar, and they’ve been a great support.
“Thankfully, the support I’ve had from the police has been great.
“The officer in the case, Chelsie, has been unbelievable. She’s guided me through it all in such a caring and professional way.
“I’ve felt heard and at no stage have I felt forced into doing something I didn’t want to do.
“Other professionals outside the police have also been excellent. They’ve helped me realise things I’d never thought about and given me the tools to manage.
“If there’s anyone else out there who’s been affected my message to them is don’t be scared.
“I had my doubts. I very nearly didn't say anything because I didn't want to believe it.
“I didn't want to believe he had done these things and I didn't want to believe that I had been the victim of abuse and honestly, I didn't need the extra stress.
“I had people from all around telling me what I should do, the only people who I felt zero pressure from either way from was Essex Police.
“The process was easy. I had complete anonymity, even though I knew (through sheer probability) that some of my friends were likely involved, this was never disclosed to me and nor was it disclosed the other way.
“Even the smallest piece of information is important.
“The law is there for a reason, so people like David Pickthall are removed from society where they can't harm a child again.
“As scared as you might be, I encourage you to come forward. You are not alone and it’s ok to not be ok.”

Freddie, not his real name, said:

“I am extremely lucky in that with my support network I felt as though I was able to move on and put this behind me fairly quickly, which I’m sure is not always the case.
“However, the main impact is in my ability to trust people.
“David was someone I was close to so when this all came to light it was extremely difficult for me to process and felt like a betrayal of the trust that had been developed over numerous years.
“For a long time I was angry at myself. I would contemplate how could I have been so naïve as to let this happen, I guess I felt vulnerable, and started to doubt myself.
"I definitely had some low moments in the first few months, and I think going forward there is always going to be that fear in my mind to trust people outside of my family, which I’m not sure will ever change.
“The support of family, friends, and Essex Police more than anything has helped me moved forward.
“Also knowing I was not alone, and that there were others going through the same, if not worse, situation as me. The phrase strength in numbers oddly shines through.
“I would say I still look back and am angry at myself for being so naïve, but certainly having a great support network has helped me to move forward with my life.
“I cannot thank Essex Police enough for their support in this case.
“From day one Chelsie has kept me informed on the progress of the investigation and has been sure to offer as much support as required through both internal and external resources.
“I can completely understand why talking to or being involved with the police can be extremely daunting, I myself was apprehensive at first, but at no point during the investigation was I made to feel uncomfortable or pressured.
“I always felt in control of how much or little I wanted to be involved, and I knew if I felt too uncomfortable there was always the option to remove myself from the investigation without consequence.
“If I had any questions or concerns about the investigation there was always a network of officers I could reach out to, which during a time when you’re feeling somewhat vulnerable, is extremely reassuring.
“This is all testimony to the amazing work of and support from Essex Police.
“I had my own doubts about being involved with this at the very beginning, but I couldn’t recommend taking that first step and talking to the police enough.
“There is so much support there and whether you think you have a case or not, just go and talk about it, because every voice matters, and people coming forward and standing up to this kind of behaviour is the only way to stop it from happening to others.”

If you have any information relating to this investigation, please get in contact quoting the crime reference number 42/238353/21.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Visit our website to find out more about our online reporting services.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone.

Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.

For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website. 

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