Camden vocal coach James Cassar admits to grooming girl, victim reveals devastating impact

The victim of a Sydney vocal coach has unveiled the distressing ramifications of his actions telling the court how she thought what had happened was her fault “even though I was only a child”.

James Cassar will be sentenced at Picton Local Court next month.

The heartbreaking and lasting impacts of a vocal coach’s predatory actions have been revealed after his victim spoke of her terror and her broken trust in men.

James Cassar, 31, pleaded guilty to grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity and indecent assaulting a person under 16 and was due to face sentencing last week however, it was delayed to next month.

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”.

However, in the following six months, they began to communicate more, and Cassar shared details of his personal life, including information about women 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”.

James Cassar pleaded guilty to two offences.

In one conversation, Cassar said, “Can’t wait until you’re 16 so we can have sex” and then encouraged her to send an intimate photo of herself. On a later date, kissed her on the lips.

In a devastating statement, the victim has unveiled the private grief and distress she suffered at the hands of Cassar.

“When I met James, I was bubbly and full of life. I was easily trusting and always strived to see the good in those around me,” she said.

“I feel as though my innocence was ripped away from me far too quickly at his hands.

“In the months after the grooming ended, I was inconsolable. I thought what had happened to me had been my fault. I felt that I had somehow baited him into doing what he did, even though I was only a child.”

The victim spoke of how she stopped eating and suffered extreme mental health issues, with her family extremely concerned about her.

She said when she turned 18, she would have night terrors that Cassar would reach back out to her and was petrified she would bump back into him.

“I now have a very hard time trusting men, including my male friends and even my own partner. On some days, I will flinch at his touch and get flashbacks when he hugs me,” the victim wrote.

“While the flashbacks have become less intense throughout the years, it still feels as though I am haunted by what happened to me. Even seemingly small things, like the smell of cologne, can send me into a panic attack.

“In summary, my innocence, self-esteem, sense of safety in public, and my ability to freely trust others have been stolen. I will be forever changed by the harm I was put through.”

Cassar will be sentenced on November 1.