A VICAR and former Witney magistrate is facing a prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl.

Christopher Tadman-Robins, of Upper End, Shipton-Under-Wychwood, was convicted of five charges by a jury at Luton Crown Court yesterday.

The prosecution said the 66-year-old told his victim he had been abused as a child and “wanted to pass it on”.

He was told by Judge Philip Bartle that a prison sentence was “inevitable” but was granted conditional bail as an “act of mercy”.

During the trial the jury watched an interview in which the victim – who is now an adult – told police that Tadman-Robins, a former musical director of the Northern Ballet, had abused her.

Ann Evans, prosecuting, said that on one occasion he stroked the woman’s legs adding: “She tried to ignore this, because she just didn’t understand.

“She remembers this made her feel very, very awkward and very embarrassed, and not knowing about sex she said it was nice that someone was stroking her legs.”

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and Tadman-Robins must wait six weeks to learn his fate.

Adjourning the case for preparation of a pre-sentence report Judge Bartle said: “I require further information about the defendant.”

He said he also wanted a victim impact statement prepared before the sentencing hearing, to take place towards the end of November.