Jan Latham-Koenig: Music conductor admits child sex offences

Jan Latham-Koenig pleaded guilty to two child sex offences

A world-renowned classical music conductor has pleaded guilty to two child sex offences.

Jan Latham-Koenig admitted arranging sex acts with someone he thought was a teenager - but was in fact an undercover police officer.

The 70-year-old, of South Kensington, was granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Latham-Koenig was appointed OBE in 2020 for services to music and UK-Russian cultural relations.

He conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and all the BBC ensembles.

• Music conductor accused of child sex offence

Latham-Koenig pleaded guilty to intentionally arranging or facilitating an act of sexual activity with a child, between 9 December and 11 January.

He also admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification, between the same dates.

Latham-Koenig entered no plea to a third charge of attempting to meet a person under the age of 16 and engage in sexual activity during or after the meeting.

Prosecuting, Jason Seetal told the court that Latham-Koenig initially started chatting with an undercover officer, who was posing as a child, through a dating app before progressing to WhatsApp.

The officer was working as part of an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command.

Mr Seetal said a meeting between Latham-Koenig and the "child" had been due to take place at a coffee shop in Victoria railway station. He was arrested there last month.

In relation to the contested charge, District Judge John Law set a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court for 22 March.

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