Music teacher Janelle Colville Fletcher to stand trial on child sex charge

An Adelaide flute teacher and Fringe performer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually abusing a child – and today found out if she will stand trial.

Janelle Colville Fletcher in publicity shots for her Fringe show So Flutatious. Picture: Supplied

A music teacher and Adelaide Fringe performer has been ordered to stand trial on a historical child sex charge.

Janelle Colville Fletcher, 38, of Trinity Gardens appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually abusing a child.

Craig Caldicott, for Ms Fletcher, entered the plea in court on behalf of his client. He conceded she had a case to answer.

The prosecutor told the court another alleged count of the same charge had been withdrawn.

Ms Fletcher is alleged to have maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with a child in regional South Australia, and some Adelaide suburbs, some years ago.

Mr Caldicott asked the court to dismiss a second file which alleges a count of making a child amenable to sexual activity, but the prosecutor sought extra time to make a charge determination. She said it was her intention for both files to be joined in the District Court.

The court has previously heard the case against Ms Fletcher involved “quite a substantial amount of electronic evidence” including text messages.

It had heard allegations Ms Fletcher had a sexual relationship with a female child who “had given a detailed account of what happened”.

Ms Fletcher’s bail conditions prohibit her from working with children.

She is the former head of music at Tabor College and began teaching at the school in 2016. She no longer works there.

According to the Adelaide Fringe website, Ms Fletcher premiered a solo flute performance titled “So Flutatious” at the festival last year.

The website states Ms Fletcher is a “talented multi-instrumentalist” who has “specialised in playing classical flute for over twenty years” and is a “trusted authority in the field”.

Ms Fletcher remains on bail ahead of her next scheduled appearance in the Adelaide Magistrates Court next month. She will then appear in the District Court for arraignment in May.