Dance teacher Benjamin Stokes on trial for child sex abuse

A southwest Sydney dance teacher’s child abuse trial is continuing behind closed doors, as four former students give evidence about what they say happened to them at his performing arts school.

Benjamin Jay Stokes.

The trial of a southwest Sydney dance teacher accused of child sexual abuse continues behind closed doors as four male students give evidence against him.

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 trial opened before Judge James Bennett and a jury of 15 on January 31.

The proceedings are currently continuing in closed court – which excludes media and the general public from attending – as the four complainants give their evidence.

It is standard procedure for child and adult complainants in sexual assault cases to give evidence in a closed court for their comfort and privacy.

In rare cases, a judge can rule that media are allowed to observe complaint evidence but this was not permitted in Stokes’ trial.

The case will be open to the public again once the complainants have concluded their evidence to the court.

Benjamin Jay Stokes.

On January 31, Crown prosecutor Mr Smith told the jury some of the evidence they can expect to hear from the complainants.

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.

The trial continues.