Guildford West: Martial arts instructor Christopher David Barnes’ trial continues

A boy who was allegedly kissed by a martial arts instructor at a western Sydney gym continued to be cross examined about how much clothing he was wearing at the time. Warning: Graphic content.

A boy who was allegedly kissed by martial arts instructor Christopher David Barnes at Fearless Martial Arts gym in Guildford West continued to be cross examined about how much clothing he was wearing.

Mr Barnes’ barrister, Troy Edwards, referred to police interviews played before the court on Wednesday when the boy allegedly told police that he still had his underwear off but also told them later that he left his underwear on when he was allegedly kissed in a gym bathroom in October 2020.

“Because I left it on the first time but the second time I took it off,’’ the child told the court during the second day of the trial on Friday.

Mr Edwards questioned why there were two versions about the state of undress while Mr Barnes was allegedly checking his sunburnt body.

The boy responded that he could not remember clearly.

Mr Edwards asked the boy if he could remember what happened clearly when police were interviewing him to which he replied “yeah”.

The evidence of the boy, who is the first of two complainants, concluded at Parramatta District Court on Friday.

‘Keep it a secret’: Alleged sexual offender on trial

Mr Barnes has pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14 years, aggravated intentionally doing a sexual act with child between 10 and 16 years, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years and two counts of intentionally sexually touch a child between 10 and 16 years.

He is fighting allegations he carried out sexual offences on two boys he taught at the Fairfield Rd warehouse-style gym, between early 2019 and late 2020.

Mr Barnes, whose mother has supported him at court this week, was arrested at his Woodpark home on January 12, 2021 when he was 33.

When outlining the allegations on Wednesday, Crown Monika Knowles told the jury the alleged offence of the first complainant to give evidence occurred in October 2020 when Mr Barnes allegedly kissed the boy on the face while he was in his singlet or underwear in the gym’s bathroom where he was checking the child’s sunburn.

Mr Barnes, whose pupils called him Master Chris, allegedly told the boy not to tell. The boy “promised not to tell but he in fact told his father when he was picked up after class’’, Ms Knowles said.

During an October 27, 2020, police interview played before the court, the complainant said he followed his instructor into the bathroom after he was feeling sick because of his sunburn from weeks before.

Christopher David Barnes has pleaded not guilty to allegations. Picture: Facebook

Christopher Barnes leaves Parramatta District Court with his mother.

“I took not all of my clothes but some of them off,’’ he said.

The boy told police “Master Chris” asked to check his body.

“I didn’t say ‘Can you check my body?’’ he said. “He said, ‘Come let me check, it’s very, very important’.’’

In his first interview with police, the child said he had his singlet on but the second time he told investigators he took his singlets, shorts and underwear off before Mr Barnes kissed him on the cheek.

“He said keep it a secret, don’t tell anyone,’’ the boy alleged to police.

“I said ‘I promise but I have to tell my dad because it’s very important, I have to’.

“I feel a bit angry about him (Mr Barnes) …’’

During the interview, police allege a boy told them he heard the boy in the bathroom, where the door was locked, saying “it hurts it hurts”. The boy said he could not recall saying that.

The boy told police Mr Barnes said: “Come let me check your body, take your clothes off, all of them.’’

The Crown told the court the second child alleged Mr Barnes inserted his finger in his anus in the gym bathroom, leading him to be charged with aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14.

He allegedly touched the boy’s pubic hair and penis and he often spoke about puberty and hair growth to the child.

When the boy refused to reveal his penis when asked, Mr Barnes allegedly touched himself.

The court heard how the boy reported the alleged incidents after he saw another man looking at him strangely in public and told his parents about the gym allegations.

Mr Barnes denies being alone with “a child at any point,’’ the Crown told the court.

Mr Edwards, told the court the allegations were “among the gravest of offences in society” but the jury had to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt about the indictments.

He said there was no DNA evidence “if the allegations are true”.

Mr Edwards alleged other children were around when his client allegedly took the boy to inspect his sunburn.

The trial continues.

MORE NEWS

Parramatta Eels fan Laiakini Tikoibau shows passion for team with Ford Mustang

Former NSW Police Senior Constable Kristi Phillipson charged with drug, domestic violence offences