A VICAR and former magistrate is on trial accused of sexually assaulting a girl.

Christopher Tadman-Robins, 66, pictured, is accused of touching and kissing the complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she lived in Oxfordshire.

Ann Evans, prosecuting, told a jury at Luton Crown Court yesterday that the musician and former musical director of the Northern Ballet had touched his victim and warned her not to tell anyone.

The barrister said Tadman-Robins had tried to make the girl “blame herself” for the abuse and sent letters to “express sorrow for his actions”.

Miss Evans said: “He never expressly admits to abuse but, in one letter received by her from him, he says ‘human beings can not only be foolish and imperfect but dangerously so, none more than me it seems and I shall have much to regret in the months and years to come’.”

She added that after the abuse had ended, Tadman-Robins apologised to the complainant for the way that he had behaved.

Miss Evans said: “He told her he was so sorry, but it wasn’t his fault because he had been abused as a child and that in some sick way he wanted to pass it on.”

Tadman-Robins, of Upper End, Shipton-under-Wychwood, denies seven charges – six of indecent assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

Tadman-Robins used to sit as a magistrate at the former court in Witney. The trial continues.