Runescape composer Ian Taylor imprisoned for assault on a girl under 13, sentenced to 22 months

Aug 19, 2021

Ian Taylor, a composer who worked on MMOROG Runescape was sentenced to 22 months in prison for sexual assault of a minor. Taylor, who was heavily involved with the soundtrack for the free-to-play game and had worked on Runescape since 1999, admitted drunkenly assaulting a girl under the age of 13 in December of 2020.

According to a report in the Cambridge Independent, the incident occurred last December, with Taylor claiming drunkenness and depression as mitigation for his actions. Apart from his 22-months-long prison sentence, Taylor will be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The crime initially went unobserved until the girl confided in a family member, according to the Cambridge Independent, with Det Sgt Greg Stanley praising the victim for their bravery: “I commend the courage of this young child in coming forward and speaking out” he said. “Without her bravery, Taylor may have carried on offending.”

Runescape publisher takes action

According to a statement given to Kotaku, Taylor was dismissed by Jagex, publishers of Runescape, when the allegations first surfaced against him. “Jagex expects the highest standards from its staff and we act decisively if those values that we hold dear are not reflected in the behavior of employees,” Jagex told Kotaku, before confirming Taylor was dismissed when the circumstances of the allegations came to light in March 2021.

Jagex also claims to have conducted an internal investigation on discovering the allegations and found no evidence to prompt further investigation of Taylor’s time at the company. Taylor had been with the company since the early 2000s and had led the audio team from 2003, having composed 635 pieces for the game in his time at the company.

There is no indication as of yet if Jagex intends to continue to use his work, with other gaming firms coming under pressure to remove assets associated with offenders in recent months. Prior to his removal, Taylor was the longest-serving member of staff at Jagex and was the first person to join the three Gower brothers at the firm back in 1999.