Adelaide cheerleading coach acquitted at trial of allegations she sexually assaulted seven girls
An Adelaide cheerleading coach has been acquitted over allegations she sexually assaulted seven girls, with a judge saying witness evidence was “contaminated”.
Police & Courts
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A top cheerleading coach has been acquitted of allegations she sexually abused seven girls up to 21 times, with a judge saying the alleged victims has “contaminated” their own evidence before the trial even began.
On Friday, District Court Judge Joana Fuller found the coach not guilty of three counts of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.
She further acquitted her of multiple counts of aggravated and basic indecent assault.
In an extensive written judgment, following a trial without a jury, Judge Fuller said prosecutors had not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt due to significant issues with the evidence.
“There is a significant body of evidence establishing that the complainants and most of the witnesses had discussed the accused, her behaviour and their respective recollections of it at various times over the years prior to and after the matter was reported to police,” she said.
“There had been contamination of accounts of the majority of those witnesses.”
She said the alleged victims of four of the charges were “not credible or reliable” while the coach’s evidence was “compelling, coherent and cogent”.
“The evidence of the accused was truthful and reliable,” she said.
The woman pleaded not guilty to three counts of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and one aggravated count of indecent assault.
She has denied three basic counts of indecent assault, and cannot be named in order to protect the statutory anonymity of her alleged victims.
At trial, prosecutors alleged the offences occurred between 2015 and 2017 when she was working as a coach.
They alleged she used her charisma and renown in the sport as a “pathway” to sexually abuse the girls – four of whom were just 12 years old – more than 21 times.
Defence counsel, however, suggested the seven alleged victims colluded at burger bars, nightclubs, parties, beach trips and overseas tours to ruin their client.
The coach gave evidence, denying each of the alleged offences and said she had never been sexually attracted to females of any age.
She said she was “grossed out” by the “crazy” allegations which “make me feel sick”.
In her verdict on Friday, Judge Fuller said she accepted the coach’s evidence and rejected that of the complainants and the prosecution witnesses.
She said much of that evidence had to do with the way women and girls behave towards one another in the cheerleading world.
“The testimony of many witnesses regarding club events, physical interaction and affection between cheerleaders, and alleged that the behaviour of the accused was unique to her and not engaged in by any other cheerleader is discredited by social media posts and messages,” she said.
She released the coach from her bail obligations and told her she was free to go.
The coach looked towards her supporters, who had filled the public gallery, and smiled as she left the dock.
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