Music teacher ‘has shown no 
remorse’ for fake exam fraud

The parent, who wanted to be named only by her first name, Joanne, told the Star she and other parents had been left questioning why Claire Thompson (25), from the Old Hillsborough Road, lied about being a registered music teacher with the London College of Music.

Thompson, who appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court last Thursday, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of fraud. She admitted 14 offences of fraud by false representation and two further counts of using a false instrument (document) between January 1, 2010 and November 2011.

The fake instrument relates to how she used two fake piano Grade Four certificates to dupe two girls into believing they had passed that standard.

At last week’s hearing five families were due to testify against Thompson in court until her defence barrister revealed to the court that the 25-year-old would be pleading guilty.

Joanne said that Thompson could have saved the families’ time by admitting her guilt earlier.

“This has been going on for the past two years and she could’ve stopped this a long time ago,” she explained.

“I just thought she (Thompson) was a lovely, professional woman. She was recommended to me personally.

“We still can’t figure out why she did what she did. Luckily someone caught on to what she was doing.”

Joanne added that since Thompson’s deception had come to light, she has found a new music teacher for her child.

“We had no reason to doubt her (Thompson), because she was a lovely girl, was well recommended and she didn’t come across as anything but professional,” she revealed.

Thompson is due to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court again on February 13.