Musical tutor who worked at schools across Belfast to stand trial accused of trafficking teenage boy for sexual exploitation
A musical tutor who worked at schools across Belfast is to stand trial accused of trafficking a teenage boy for sexual exploitation, a judge ordered today.
Robert James Briscoe, 49, faces prosecution over allegations he arranged to have the youth brought to gatherings where drugs were also taken.
He appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary enquiry into the eight charges against him.
Briscoe, formerly of Seamount in the city, is accused of two counts of human trafficking, paying for the sexual services of a child and attempting to pay for sexual services.
He faces further counts of possessing and being concerned in the supply of both Class A and Class B drugs.
The alleged offences were committed on dates between September 30, 2025 and March 10 this year.
Briscoe formerly held a position with the Education Authority, acting as a peripatetic brass tutor at a number of schools.
He also helped to run the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra and was a director of music at Helen’s Bay Presbyterian Church.
In a further role, he worked as a freelance travel consultant on music tours for schools and colleges throughout the United Kingdom.
There is no connection between the alleged victim and any of Briscoe’s previous jobs.
Appearing in the dock today, he understood the charges against him but declined to give any evidence at this stage.
Defence barrister Michael Boyd accepted his client has a prima facie case to answer.
Granting the prosecution’s application, District Judge Anne Marshall confirmed: “He will be returned to Belfast Crown Court (for trial).”
She released Briscoe on continuing bail and instructed him to attend for his arraignment on a date to be fixed. He is banned from contacting the injured party or anyone else aged under 18, and prohibited from having any device capable of accessing the internet.