David Toal acts for Duncan McTier in historical offences trial

November 14, 2014

David Toal from Exchange Chambers acted for world-renowned musician Duncan McTier, 59, who this week pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one of attempted indecent assault against three of his ex-students. McTier is recognised as one of the world’s foremost double bass soloists and had taught gifted musicians at various institutions including prestigious music schools in London, Madrid and Zurich.

McTier was given a three-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to do 240 hours of unpaid work.

David Toal, mitigating, said the prosecution had already had a “significant impact” on him following the loss of a a great deal of his teaching work after resigning from the Royal Academy of Music in London.  Mr Toal said: “He’s a different individual from the one who has acted in the way described. His life is a world away from the dock of a criminal crown court, in every other respect he’s a decent, law abiding citizen.”

A formal not guilty verdict was recorded on a fourth charge of attempted indecent assault against McTier.