Dance teacher Benjamin Stokes on trial for child sex abuse

A former southwest Sydney dance teacher accused of abusing four young male students over a number of years allegedly messaged one saying “I had crossed a line”, a court has heard.

Benjamin Jay Stokes at an earlier appearance at Picton Local Court.

A former southwest Sydney dance teacher accused of abusing four young male students allegedly messaged one saying “I had crossed a line”, a court has heard.

Former Commotion School of Performing Arts owner Benjamin Stokes is defending six counts of grooming a child for sex, five charges of indecently assaulting a child and one count of meeting a child that had been groomed for sex at trial at Sydney District Court.

The Smeaton Grange dance school owner was arrested after the first of four male complainants came forward to police in late 2021.

The other three made complaints after learning Stokes had been charged through subsequent media reports.

The trial before Judge James Bennett began on Wednesday afternoon, as Crown prosecutor Mr Smith told the jury some of the evidence they can expect to hear from the complainants.

Benjamin Stokes.

The court heard the third complainant will allege Stokes started by messaging him about dancing and asked questions about his sexuality through Facebook Messenger.

“(It’s alleged) the accused sent the third complainant a photo of an erect penis, he just assumed it was the accused’s penis,” Mr Smith said.

“The accused said ‘is this too much’ and ‘send me a photo of yours’.”

Mr Smith said the third complainant was initially reluctant, but after a few days; acquiesced to the accused’s alleged request.

The Crown prosecutor said he expected the third complainant to allege Stokes subsequently sent videos of himself masturbating, including one which panned from his face down to his penis.

The third complainant will also allege Stokes touched his genitalia in a costume storage room after messaging him to say he wanted to touch him.

Benjamin Jay Stokes.

Mr Smith said he expected the third complainant to recall an unrelated argument some months later, followed by further alleged messages from Stokes to the child.

“You remember why we stopped? It was because you said you felt uncomfortable, I realised I had crossed a line,” Stokes is alleged to have messaged the third complainant.

“I don’t forget what we had, I’m not even over it – I can’t bear the thought of hurting you.”

In his opening, Stokes’ counsel Mr Hopper said it was important to remember the allegations date back from 2012 to 2015.

“The witnesses will be coming in and recalling things from nine years ago,” Mr Hopper said.

“We need to address whether they are reliable.”

The defence counsel said messages that might appear to have been sent by the accused at a particular time might not have been sent at all – or at an entirely different time.

Mr Hopper also reminded the jury a real criminal trial is nothing like what you might see on television and to give Stokes a fair chance.

“On the face, they are quite horrible charges,” Mr Hopper said.

“Someone who is guilty of them should be convicted and dealt with under the law – but he has pleaded not guilty, and he’s got the right to the presumption of innocence.”

The trial continues on Thursday.