A NEAR four year 'nightmare' for a Thurrock music teacher falsely accused of sex offences against a young female pupil came to a conclusion at Basildon Crown Court today (Monday, 26 October).

Much-respected Mark Yeldham, 56, from Corringham, was arrested, interrogated and eventually charged with four offences against the girl that were alleged to have happened when she was between the ages of eight and 11.

In a long career as a popular and successful teacher no other pupils have ever made allegations against him and, during two trials, jurors were presented with character references from numerous former pupils and colleagues in the teaching profession.

Mr Yeldham, who was living in Corringham at the time and was a teacher at Lee Chapel Primary School and Basildon Music Academy, first became aware of the girl's allegations when he was arrested in December 2022.

The girl told police that during one-to-one lessons at Billericay Music Academy he repeatedly removed her underwear and touched her bottom.

The accusations have always been strenuously denied by Mr Yeldham who says the police appeared to have judged him guilty without investigation and that during interviews his treatment by officers had felt "inhumane", and that he was interviewed "in a very aggressive manner."

A trial was scheduled for February 2025. However, it was much delayed and it wasn't until August last year that the hearing was convened.

At the trial at Basildon Crown Court Mr Yeldham was cleared by a jury of the initial four charges after evidence from the young girl and her mother was discredited under questioning.

He began the trial charged with four alleged sexual assaults - two counts representing the alleged removal of the girl's underwear and two representing his alleged touching of her bottom.

But when she testified, she gave inconsistent testimony.

At times, she said she was no longer sure he had ever removed her underwear or touched her bottom. When re-examined by the prosecution, she reverted to saying she was "definitely" sure. She then added: "I can't recall if it actually happened or not."

In light of her testimony and the confusion over exactly what happened, after the prosecution concluded its case, two alternative marginally lesser charges against Mr Yeldham were added at the suggestion of Judge Richard Conley mid-trial - of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Mr Yeldham's sense of injustice and fear that a case was being manipulated against him, were exacerbated by Judge Conley's decision-making.

At a pre-trial hearing Judge Samantha Leigh had ruled that some of the Imagery produced by police as evidence were inadmissible because they didn't pertain to the charges and were not relevant, but Judge Conley who officiated at the full hearing, said he felt they had merit. Mr Yeldham's defence argued that not only were they not related to the girl, they were innocent pictures, legitimately take of students as part of their tutorials. Ultimately that was accepted by the jury.

The jury, though clear they believed Mr Yeldham was innocent of the four original charges, felt they were unable to deal with the additional charges having heard so much differing evidence. A retrial on the two new charges was ordered by Judge Conley.

After more than a year's wait it began last Monday, again in front of Judge Conley, and included statements from Mr Yeldham, the girl (now aged 16) and her mental health counsellor who had initially made a report to police after the girl told her about the alleged incidents.

It concluded in a brief session after lunch today when the jury returned from a morning's debate and, in just under two minutes, delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict.

Judge Richard Conley had few words for Mr Yeldham, who looked emotionally bereft, other than to say: "Mr Yeldham, you have been found not guilty by the jury. You are now discharged."

He did address the jury and said: "Thank you for your service on this very difficult and highly emotional case.

"It's exactly the sort of case, where things happen in private, where the jury system brings together people with all the life experience that you all have.

"You bring your wisdom and experience into this courtroom."

As the jury filed out, many smiled and nodded towards Mr Yeldham as he sat in the dock, from where he mouthed the words 'thank-you' to each as they left.

It was the end of a near four-year stress-packed journey for Mr Yeldham, who had been supported throughout his trials by his disabled wife (who he cares for), colleagues and friends – though he was also the victim of scurrilous and presumptive abuse on social media which he said contributed to his 'nightmare ordeal'.

He told reporters outside the court he 'felt like I have been hit by a wrecking ball'.

Earlier he had said: "I couldn't even talk because I was in so much shock," of the fateful day police came to arrest him.

Asked whether he could think of any motive for the allegations, he replied: "No. I'm in shock – and a lot of anger."

Looking back on the conduct of the investigating police officers who he accused of fabricating evidence and manipulating forensic data, he told Nub News: "They seemed so intent on trying to convict an innocent man that they stooped to any measure, despite the fact that the girl and her mum have been proven to have lied. They believed them, but not me, without a shred of real evidence."

This afternoon an Essex Police spokesperson told Nub News: "As officers it is our responsibility to thoroughly investigate any allegation of sexual offences and support the Crown Prosecution Service in presenting that case in court should charges be brought.

"We accept the decision of the jury in this case."

Mr and Mrs Yeldham left court together after a brief conference with his defence team - to whom he offered impassioned thanks. He says he will consider what, if any action, he might take regarding his legal journey and ordeal but said he hoped to return to work and teaching in January - 'and begin my life again.'