A MUSIC teacher jailed for indecently assaulting two children has been freed from jail by top judges.

Bernard Robin Heading, now 67, was jailed for ten months in August this year after admitting two specimen offences of indecent assault.

Heading ran the Farfisa Music School, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, teaching keyboard.

Mrs Justice Cox - who substituted a two-month term, intended to secure his imminent release - said Heading's victims were a boy and girl who were molested in the 1990s.

The offences charged were "sample" counts reflecting a course of conduct by Heading, London's Appeal Court heard.

The offences only came to light last year, said Mrs Justice Cox, although in 1997 Heading was convicted of indecently assaulting another child, for which he received a four-month term. He was convicted of a similar offence the following year.

Mrs Justice Cox - sitting with Lord Justice Toulson and Mr Justice Silber - said Heading, formerly of Cabus Nook Lane, Winmarleigh, Preston, had had no contact with vulnerable children for the past 10 years.

He had also been forced out of his home due to adverse publicity, moving to Spain as a refuge. Much of his time had also been taken up with caring for his wife, who is in poor health.

The judge substituted a two-month sentence, which she said should secure his release "immediately or within a very short period of time."