Welsh Teacher and Conductor Charged with Sexual Assault

Gareth Ritter led two Welsh brass bands, taught in a school, and appeared on the Channel 4 docu-series "Educating Cardiff"

The Welsh conductor and music teacher Gareth Ritter, who is a former assistant head and music teacher at Willows High in Cardiff, Wales, has been charged with sexual assault, two counts of making an indecent image of a child, and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.

Ritter previously appeared on the hit Channel 4 show Educating Cardiff, a docu-series that provided insight into the lives of teachers and students at the Welsh school. He was also highly active in the local brass band scene, leading the Ebbw Valley Brass Band and the Lydbrook Band, and winning Welsh Conductor of the Year four times.

LBC reported that as of December 12, 2024, there has been an interim suspension placed on Ritter's registration by the Education Workforce Council. According to their website, he is currently "ineligible for registration – subject to interim suspension order."

The outlet also noted that the Ebbw Valley Brass band issued a short statement in which they said Ritter had resigned "due to personal reasons", giving no further details. The band is now advertising for a new musical director, and is asking that applicants make any queries "in complete confidence".

The South Wales Police confirmed that Ritter appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on November 5, 2024. The alleged offenses took place between May 2015 and July 2015.

The Violin Channel has reached out to Mr. Ritter for comment.