Jan Latham-Koenig: conductor convicted of child sex offenses

A world-renowned classical music conductor who pleaded guilty to several child sex offenses has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Southwark Crown Court heard the 70-year-old was arrested at Victoria Station after giving a ticket to the person he thought was called Jacob so they could meet.

The driver, who had previously admitted three charges, was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Latham-Koenig, who has previously conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and all the BBC ensembles, had used a dating app to make contact with someone he thought was 14 years old.

Describing the case, Judge Alexander Milne said Latham-Koenig had “initiated conversations on a dating app, accepted to be frequently used by bisexual and gay men, to engage in conversations with a person he believed to be Jacob.”

He said the conversations were sexual in nature on several occasions and the accused sent Jacob an inappropriate photo.

The judge said Latham-Koenig was “particularly concerned” that Jacob's mother was unaware of their relationship and “there was discussion that they were going further than just talking” before the meeting.

The 70-year-old also lied about his age, telling Jacob he was 49, the court was told.

Judge Milne said the driver's behavior was “deeply concerning” and that he had been “humiliated in the public eye”, but added that “there is clear remorse on the part of the accused and 'he suffered”.

He sentenced Latham-Koenig to 14 months each for attempting to meet a child following sexual solicitations and also arranging or facilitating the commission of a sexual offense with a child between December 9, 2023 and January 11 of this year.

The driver was also sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment for having sexual relations with a child, with all sentences being cumulative.

Defending Latham-Koenig, who was appointed OBE in 2020 for services to music and cultural relations between the UK and Russia, Eleanor Laws said the case had had a “devastating effect” on her client, who had suffered “a loss of career”.