- Written by Jess Warren & PA Media
- BBC News
Jean Latham Koenig pleaded guilty to two child sex offences
A world-famous classical music conductor has pleaded guilty to two sex crimes against children.
Jan Latham Koenig admitted arranging sexual acts with someone he thought was a teenager, but was actually an undercover police officer.
The 70-year-old, from South Kensington, was granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Latham Koenig was appointed OBE in 2020 for services to music and cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Russia.
He has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and all BBC orchestras.
Latham Koenig pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating sexual activity with a child between December 9 and January 11.
He also admitted to attempting to have sexual intercourse with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification, between the same dates.
Latham Koenig pleaded no contest to a third charge of attempting to meet a person under 16 and engaging in sexual activity during or after the meeting.
During his trial, Jason Settal told the court that Latham Koenig initially began 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.
Setall said a meeting between Latham-Koenig and “the Kid” was scheduled to take place at a café at Victoria railway station. He was arrested there last month.
In relation to the disputed charge, District Judge John Law scheduled a trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 22 March.
