England- Judas Priest! It could have been a scene out of the film Mr. Holland’s Anus. The guy who looks like a benign music master, David Holland of Judas Priest has been convicted of trying to rape a special needs youngster.
Holland, joining an ever growing list of musicians who have been dabbling in over the edge activities, was also found guilty of five charges of indecently assaulting the teenager. Holland, who played with the band Judas Priest in the 1970s and 1980s, was convicted of the charges at Northampton Crown Court on Friday.
Holland, 55, who denied all the charges, was convicted on majority verdicts.
All the offenses took place at the drummer’s home between June and December 2002 when he was giving the 17-year-old drumming lessons.
Holland said he had formed a friendship with the 18-year-old, and had invited him to his house on several occasions.
Holland, in his court testimony, said the teenager had been allowed to drink and smoke at his house and watch videos but said no sexual advances had been made towards him.
He said he had never touched the young man inappropriately or had sex with him. He admitted owning pornographic films, but denied showing them to the teenager. He said he had thought the teenager was bisexual and had told him of his own bisexual background, but denied having any sexual motives for befriending him.
Holland said: “He was aware that I am bisexual. I believed that he was of the same persuasion as myself.
“He was very fond of me, the same as I was of him.
“He would even tell me I was his best friend. He would tell me that he loved me. It wasn’t a sexual thing, it was affection.
“There might have been the odd hug or something like that.
“I know it is politically incorrect nowadays but kids like to be shown a bit of affection.”
Maria Savvides, prosecuting, told the court that the alleged abuse was revealed in a letter written by the teenager to his parents on 14 December, 2002.
She told the court the teenager said he had been asked to shower by Holland and then forced to take part in a sexual act. Holland said he asked the teenager to take a shower one afternoon as he smelled strongly of alcohol and tobacco.
Judge Charles Wide QC said he was very concerned about the risk Holland presented to adolescent boys and remanded him in custody for a pre-sentence report.
“I in particular would be interested in an assessment of the risk Mr Holland poses to adolescent young men,” Judge Wide said.
Holland’s co-accused, Spiros Laouitaris, 22, was earlier acquitted of three separate charges of indecently assaulting the same teenager, who is now 18, but who cannot be named for legal reasons.
He was cleared of a fourth indecent assault charge on Thursday on the directions of Judge Wide, who said there had been insufficient evidence.
The jury was told the teenager’s parents had organized the lessons to boost their son’s self-esteem.
As the relationship between teacher and pupil grew, they had allowed him to stay at Holland’s home.
The jury heard the abuse was revealed in a letter written by the teenager to his parents on 14 December, 2002.
Maria Savvides, prosecuting, told the court the boy had managed to stop Mr Holland from raping him but said he had been abused in other ways.