Camden vocal coach James Cassar admits to grooming 15-year-old girl

A Camden vocal teacher told a young girl he would be “happy” to take her virginity when she turned 16 before giving instructions on how to masturbate and asking to see more of her body.

James Cassar appears at Picton Local Court on December 12, 2022. Picture: Annie Lewis

A vocal coach who told a 15-year-old girl he would be “happy” to take her virginity when she turned 16 has admitted to grooming, after initially preparing to fight the allegations.

James Cassar, 31, was due to face a hearing after pleading not guilty to grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, meeting a child groomed for sexual activity, and two counts of indecent assaulting a person under 16.

However, he pleaded guilty last week to grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity and indecent assaulting a person under 16, while the remaining two charges were withdrawn.

According to police facts tendered to the court, the pair met in 2017 when Cassar was 25 and the victim was 15.

They began messaging through Snapchat and Messenger and the victim developed a crush about Christmas 2017, but Cassar told her, “just so you know, nothing’s ever going to happen.” She replied, “that’s fine. I never expected there to be”.

James Cassar.

In the following six months they began to communicate more, and Cassar shared details of his personal life, including information about women who he had intercourse with.

The victim revealed to Cassar she was a virgin, and he replied “when you turn 16, and you don’t have anyone to do with or lose it [her virginity] to, I’d be happy to do that with you”.

In one conversation, Cassar gave the victim instructions on how to masturbate and, in another message, said, “Can’t wait until you’re 16 so we can have sex”.

In May 2018, Cassar messaged the victim stating, ”I wish you could see how hard I am”, and the victim replied, “Yeah, me too, but you can’t because it’s illegal. I don’t want you to get in trouble”.

Cassar replied, “Well, I can send you a photo of it covered by a blanket,” then, after some conversation, he sent the victim a video of him masturbating.

About a week later, he sent a message to the victim, ” If you’re comfortable, can you send me a picture” and she understood this to mean to send a naked photo of herself.

She sent a photo of her head and torso wearing only a bra, and Cassar said, “Wow, you’re so hot, I’d like to see more”, so she then sent a photograph through Snapchat of herself in an unbuttoned pyjama top.

He again said, “I’d like to see more if you’re comfortable”, so she sent one of her breasts completely exposed.

After this, Cassar invited the victim to his house to watch a series. He picked her up, and according to the police facts, the victim indicated she would like to kiss Cassar, and he did so on the lips.

Two weeks later Cassar said, “I can’t do this again. I could get in so much trouble if anyone found out about you and I.” The victim told a mutual acquaintance in 2021 who helped her report it to the police.

Cassar was arrested and charged in 2022. After pleading guilty last week, he will front Picton Local Court for sentencing on October 18.