A PAEDOPHILE music teacher who groomed and abused two pupils three decades ago has had his jail term almost halved.

Conrad Sandercock, 61, had his three-and-a-half year sentence cut to two years at the Court of Appeal yesterday after judges accepted he was now "a changed man".

But one of Sandercock's victims, now 47 and living in London, said he would not let the shortened sentence make him angry.

Violin tutor Sandercock repeatedly abused him during private lessons at St Olave's School, York, but the victim said he did not "feel the need for vengeance".

The father-of-two said: "It was my view all along it was not about the sentence.

"It was about what happened to me being acknowledged and about Sandercock standing up and accepting what he had done.

"At one time I was really angry and wanted revenge, but that is not the case now."

Sandercock, who was still working at a school in Brighton before being charged, was jailed, after admitting nine counts of indecent assault at Leeds Crown Court in September last year.

The victim, who says he was molested between the ages of 11 and 15, and another woman who was abused between the ages of 13 and 15 during lessons at Sandercock's home, were spared having to give evidence.

The victim said: "It is my view that people who abuse children are ill and above all should be given help rather than punishment.

"At least he showed some courage in standing up and saying: 'I did it and I

was wrong and I am sorry'.

"Many people might have chanced their luck, because people do get off for crimes like this, particularly ones which are 30 years old."

The charity director, who went to police after having problems in his own relationships, said: "I have spoken to the other victim and she feels the same.

"We are interested in justice - not in punishment."

Sir Paul Kennedy, sitting with Lord Justice Rose and Mrs Justice Rafferty at London's Criminal Appeal Court, heard Sandercock left York and began a new life in Brighton.

He became a devout Christian who dedicated years to charitable work with Romanian orphans and his local church.

Sir Paul said Sandercock, who has a wife and two children, had presented a number of references to the court "all of which glow".

He said: "He has the unequivocal support of his wife, despite his behaviour all these years ago and what he did.

"He knew for the whole of those 30 years that the police might be contacted at any time and he left York, and led an exemplary life."

Updated: 10:29 Friday, January 13, 2006