Circus sex ring accused push to have charges dropped
THE lawyer of a family accused of being part of a Blue Mountains sadistic child sex ring that allegedly carried out blood rituals has declared the police case “broken” and foreshadowed making an application to have all 120-odd charges dropped.
NSW
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THE lawyer of a family accused of being part of a Blue Mountains sadistic child sex ring that allegedly carried out blood rituals has declared the police case “broken” and foreshadowed making an application to have all 120-odd charges dropped.
It was the first time all four adult accused – linked to a Katoomba circus training school - fronted court together on Friday morning.
Alleged ringleader Therese Ann Cook, 59, her daughter Yyani Cook-Williams, 29, and adopted daughter Clarissa Meredith, 24, were granted bail in August after six months behind bars.
Ms Cook wore a cream jacket and light blue boots at Penrith Local Court on Friday morning while Ms Cook-Williams and Meredith dressed in all black.
Ms Cook’s brother Paul Cook, who was bailed in June, also appeared in court fighting five charges relating to allegations he twice filmed relatives raping a boy and deprived the boy of his liberty.
Penrith Local Court heard that the brief of evidence had now been served and it contained seven child interviews.
However an application had been made for police to re-interview some of the complainants, who were interstate.
This had caused delays along with the fact that there were seven co-accused and 127 charges, the court heard.
Solicitor Bryan Wrench said that he would consider making an application to withdraw all charges on the next mention date.
“To put it bluntly they can’t fix this broken case,” he said.
Outside court Mr Wrench said: “This has gone on long enough, we want this over, they are prepared to meet their case”.
All three women have pleaded not guilty to allegations they were part of a group which kidnapped, assaulted and filmed the sadistic rape of innocent boys between 2014 and 2016 — including one victim who was just three years old.
Court documents have revealed horrifying allegations — including needles being stuck in eyes, tongues being bitten and even that one boy was lifted up by his penis.
However the court has previously heard there is no evidence of any injuries.
There were also alleged “blood rituals” performed, it will be alleged.
In total seven people — including three who cannot be named due to their ages at the time of the alleged offences — have been charged with the 127 offences.
The matter was adjourned to December where a bail variation application will be made.
All four will be excused from attending.