Colorado Symphony violinist guilty of child sex assault

15 August 2012, 11:08 | Updated: 16 August 2012, 11:45

David Waldman, a violinist with the Colorado Symphony, has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault on a child.

A violinist with the Colorado Symphony has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault on a child, and will now face ten years of intensive sex offender probation. Waldman, who currently holds the fourth chair position in the orchestra, was well-known in the area for being passionate about music education.

The plea comes after two incidents involving friends of his young daughter, but local authorities have encouraged others who may have been affected by Waldman to come forward. Waldman's sex offender probation will involve intensive monitoring for the next ten years.  He has avoided a jail sentence by pleading guilty - most similar cases result in a plea of not guilty.

Due to both incidents being isolated, Waldman does not face a mandatory prison sentence. Barbara Hamilton, director of the Colorado Chamber Players, who Waldman is a member of, said: "He's a wonderful musician and he's been a wonderful colleague. It's certainly been a shock to us."

Waldman has been on unpaid leave from the Colorado Symphony since June. A decision about his future with the ensemble is said to be forthcoming in the next two days.