Michael Porteous, a Paedophile Sex Offender Music Teacher molested a former 12 year old student of a renowned London preparatory school.
The individual, referred to as Hassan, alleges that music instructor Michael Porteous frequently exploited him at King’s House School in Richmond.
Hassan alleges that he was groped and coerced into sexual contact while attending the institution in the early 1970s, at the ages of 11 and 12.
He approached the police to report the abuse last year, only to discover that Michael Porteous had departed the UK for Thailand and later passed away.
Law firm Leigh Day is now representing Hassan, and is seeking help from former King’s House pupils who may be able to help with its investigation.
“We are investigating a case of serious sexual assault upon Hassan, and it is very important that anyone who may have relevant information gets in touch as soon as possible”, said senior Leigh Day associate Andrew Lord.
“We would particularly like to speak with any former students of King’s House School who recall Mr Michael Porteous, or who were enrolled at the school during the 1970s, as this may greatly help support my client’s claim.”
Hassan says he remembers being invited to Porteous’ music classroom in 1972 to organise sheet music, when the teacher is said to have unzipped the boy’s trousers and put his hands over his genitals.
Hassan also says Michael Porteous groped him on a coach trip to Canterbury, and repeatedly forced the boy to touch his genitals over trousers as they sat together at the piano in the main school hall.
Michael Porteous was jailed for two and a half years in 2014 for the sexual abuse of another boy in the 1970s.
Kingston crown court heard he had brazenly groped the 12-year-old victim on a coach trip while surrounded by other teachers and pupils.
The victim in that case said he came forward in part because of media reporting of the sexual abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile.
After Michael Porteous was locked up, King’s House headmaster Mark Turner said he was “shocked” at Michael Porteous’s “deplorable crime”.
“Although we are saddened that the school was not in a position to prevent the actions of Michael Porteous, and that it took almost 40 years to bring this matter to the attention of police, we are very pleased to see that justice has been done”, he added.
Leigh Day have appealed for anyone who can help the firm’s investigation to email alord@leighday.co.uk or call 020 7650 1200.
In a statement after the sentencing, the King’s House prep school’s headmaster Mark Turner said he was “shocked” at Porteous’s “deplorable crime”.
He added: “Although we are saddened that the school was not in a position to prevent the actions of Porteous, and that it took almost 40 years to bring this matter to the attention of police, we are very pleased to see that justice has been done.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.