Music teacher’s 11-yr campaign of rape & abuse
Judge warns ‘sexual predator’ to expect lengthy jail sentence
A MUSIC teacher preyed on young girls during an 11-year campaign of grooming, abuse and rape.
Matthew Birch was yesterday warned to prepare for a lengthy jail sentence after a jury unanimously found him guilty of nine charges.
The 45-year-old “sexual predator” targeted girls who had musical talent but often had personal issues.
Victims at two secondary schools in North Lanarkshire and Fife had initially described him as a “fun teacher” and a “father figure”.
But he raped two girls and had sex with another while in a position of trust.
The final victim confided in a principal teacher but she was a friend of Birch and instead went to him rather than taking it further.
It was only when she went back to a head teacher that a probe was launched.
Birch joined the Lanarkshire school in 2006.
Prosecutor Erin Campbell said: “He systematically targeted vulnerable female pupils, befriended them and positioned himself in their lives as a confidante.”
The trial heard how he referred to one girl as “fair game” in a text.
The first victim said she liked Birch, saying: “He was bigging me up and making me feel better about herself.”
He claimed to be a part-time photographer and suggested taking photos of her to supposedly boost her self-esteem.
But Birch instead went to her home and raped the teenager.
He handcuffed the girl, having earlier claimed to have been in the police. This victim recalled feeling “disgusted”.
Birch soon turned his attention to another girl, who he had underage sex with at his then flat in Edinburgh while his girlfriend was out. He again used handcuffs, filmed what they were doing and asked the pupil to call him “sir”.
Jurors heard further sexual activity with the girl took place in a cupboard at the school and on a trip with other pupils.
But he later insisted he “couldn’t do it any more” as he was going to propose to his girlfriend on holiday in the Far East.
Despite his claims, more girls were subjected to seedy comments or molested. The abuse went under the radar and Birch moved to the school in Fife.
He targeted the final victim, a talented singer, who he groomed and then raped.
The girl told a principal teacher in late 2018 but was not believed. She returned the following year having left school and the head teacher called police.
Miss Campbell said that if the victim had not pursued her complaint, Birch may still be teacher.
She added: “He is a predator… his prey conforms to a particular type, girls aged 14-17, musical talent, troubled lives and difficulties at home.”
During his trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Birch denied the claims but was convicted of charges including rape and engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust between 2006 and 2017.
Judge William Gallacher told him: “Your behaviour was despicable. You should prepare yourself for a lengthy custodial sentence.”
Birch was remanded in custody pending sentencing in the New Year. He waved and blew a kiss to a sobbing woman who accompanied him to court.
His prey conforms to a type, girls aged 14 to 17. PROSECUTOR ON MATTHEW BIRCH