Cooper Parr: Inner West taekwondo instructor accused of sexually abusing minor for almost two years

An inner-west taekwondo instructor accused of sexually abusing an underage girl for almost two years allegedly told her he could go to jail if his “disturbing” offending was revealed.

Cooper Parr was denied bail on Monday. Photo: Facebook

An inner-west taekwondo instructor accused of sexually abusing an underage girl for almost two years allegedly told her he could go to jail if his “disturbing” offending was revealed.

Cooper Parr appeared via video link at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, with his parents, brother and girlfriend sitting in the gallery.

The 26-year-old has not entered pleas to seven counts of having sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16, and seven counts of intentionally sexually touching a child between 10 and 16.

He was also charged with six further sexual offences and if convicted, he is facing up to 10 years behind bars.

Inner West Police established Strike Force Owyarigo in October 2022 to investigate an alleged child sex offence in the Marrickville area.

Police allege an underage girl was sexually abused by an adult man between 2019 and 2021 and after extensive inquiries, a 26-year-old man was arrested by detectives in Newtown last Thursday.

Parr’s barrister Anthony Strik told the court on Monday his client was facing delay as a potential trial date would come in February 2025.

Cooper Parr. Picture: Facebook

He said Parr had strong community ties, it was his first time in custody and he had no previous charges against him.

Mr Strik argued it was a “word on word case” given it was the “young lady’s word against” Parr’s and there were no other witnesses.

He said since police first contacted him, it was four months until his arrest and his client made no attempt to evade police and handed himself in.

The court heard Parr needed to be at liberty so he could continue working at a Japanese restaurant and be able to personally sit face-to-face with his legal team.

Mr Strik highlighted issues with some of the charges which he said “will come out” as the matter proceeds through the court and was ultimately acknowledged by Magistrate Susan Horan.

He said Parr’s family, while on “limited means”, were willing to put up a $6000 security while abiding by a condition to not be alone or converse with anyone 18 or younger.

In opposing bail, the prosecutor said there was risk of him committing a serious offence.

She said the alleged facts were “disturbing” and the offending continued over a period of time, which Ms Horan agreed with.

Parr’s girlfriend became emotional as Ms Horan summarised the alleged facts, saying the pair began messaging on social media and he was “well aware of her age”.

While his alleged conduct is too graphic to detail, Ms Horan said it ranged from “kissing her hand, cheek and lips” to fellatio.

Parr allegedly encouraged the young girl “not to disclose what they were doing” and at one point he told her he could get in “huge trouble”.

He allegedly said to delete her chat history and “words along the lines” that “no one understands” and it was “you and me against the world”.

He allegedly later said “I could go to jail if anyone finds out” and the young girl wouldn’t “want that”.

As Ms Horan denied bail, finding conditions couldn’t mitigate the risk of endangering community safety, his mother broke down in tears as she left the courtroom.