Music teacher who raped and abused six schoolgirls during campaign of terror jailed for 11 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A music teacher guilty of a campaign of rape, abuse and grooming against six female pupils has been jailed for 11 years.Matthew Birch - who classed girls as "fair game" - preyed on his victims while he worked at secondary schools in North Lanarkshire and Fife.Lanarkshire Live understands this included a school in Monklands.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The 45 year-old ex-police officer had initially been described as a "fun teacher" and a "father figure".But jurors heard how Birch targeted girls who had musical talent, often coupled with personal issues.Birch's 11-year sentence, imposed by Judge William Gallacher at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, was the same length of time Birch's abuse lasted.

He had previously been found guilty of nine charges including rape and engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust between 2006 and 2017.

The judge told Birch: "You have been convicted of a series of dreadful crimes amounting to grooming, manipulation and abuse of girls of whom you were in a position of trust."You sought out girls who had difficulties or problems in their lives.