Violin Pedagogue Jan Repko Awaits Trial in Amsterdam

The 64-year-old was suspended by the Royal College of Music last July when he accused of sexual assault

Prior to his arrest in August 2022, Jan Repko was based in the UK teaching at London’s Royal College of Music (RCM). 

Following a Metropolitan Police investigation, an official statement from RCM explained: “An allegation was brought to us in July 2022 which was dealt with promptly through the College’s internal processes, resulting in Jan Repko’s suspension in July 2022 followed by his dismissal.”

In February 2023, Repko was charged and appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court regarding a single charge of sexual assault, despite multiple allegations across his career. 

In a hearing on March 17, 2023, he pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a woman over the age of 16. He is currently set to stand a five-day trial as of July 8, 2024.

More recently, at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC allowed Repko’s request for changes to his bail conditions. Previously staying with friends in West London, he has been allowed to return to his Amsterdam home.

On his current bail conditions, Repko is ordered to stay each night at his family home in Amsterdam, attend fortnightly online check-ins with his solicitors, and report in person to Bishopsgate Police Station two weeks before his trial begins.

In court, his wife of 33 years, Margaret Rutherford put forward £100,000 for the security measure to guarantee Repko’s return to the UK for his trial.

Born in South Africa, Repko is now banned from attending the RCM or contacting former or current students. The Violin Channel also received written confirmation from representatives of Chetham’s School of Music and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire that he is no longer employed with them. 

“I think the charge against Jan Repko is a very good thing for women and children in the UK,” violinist and survivor Lara St. John told us in February. “And, I hope this helps the institutions to realize that their students need to be listened to — and offered help.”

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