Abuse Claims Against Shot Suffolk Dance Teacher

5 September 2014, 09:54 | Updated: 5 September 2014, 10:00

Police are investigating sexual abuse claims involving a British dance instructor turned TV presenter shot dead in the United States.

Scott Rogers, 52, a former dance school teacher from Suffolk whose full name is Richard Scott Rogers, was found shot dead in Iberville, Baton Rouge, last week.

Reports in America following the shooting claimed Mr Rogers, who had gained celebrity status in Baton Rouge due to his television show, was responsible for a series of sex offences against boys, going back to his time in England during the last millennium.

Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police were made aware of the claims before Mr Rogers's death and were assisting inquiries in the US.

Today a Suffolk Police spokesman said: "There were no UK police investigations ongoing into Scott Rogers prior to his death.

"Suffolk Police has so far received a handful of calls from people who have made initial allegations that they were sexually abused by him.

"Detectives will make further contact with these individuals in the next few days to ascertain whether they wish to disclose further information.''

A man, named in US reports last week as Mathew Hodgkinson - who is thought to be Mr Rogers' son-in-law and also his former lover - appeared to have killed Around Town talk show host Mr Rogers before turning the gun on himself in a failed suicide attempt, police in Iberville said.

Mr Rogers left Britain in December 1995 following a warning of a religious cult-like atmosphere at the Academy of Dancing and Performing Arts which he founded in Bury St Edmunds in 1983.

In November 1995 Suffolk County Council warned of pupils switching allegiances from parents to a senior member of the dance school. The concerns emerged during a trial in 1993 in which Mr Rogers was cleared of molesting a child from the academy.

Any victims or witnesses of alleged sexual abuse are asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101.