Circus child sex abuse charges for Canterbury music teacher and burlesque dancer
A children’s music teacher who moonlights as a burlesque performer is one of four people accused of hideous sexual abuse at a Blue Mountains circus arts school.
The Express
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A children’s music teacher who moonlights as a burlesque performer is one of a group of people accused of hideous sexual abuse at a Blue Mountains circus arts school.
Yyani-Rose Cook-Williams, 29 from Canterbury is facing five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company and three charges of common assault.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes detectives established Strike Force Baillieu in July 2017 to investigate reports of historic sexual and physical abuse of three boys under eight by people known to them.
Yesterday (Monday, February 5), detectives descended on homes of people connected to the school and made the arrests.
Three other offenders face dozens of charges including aggravated sexual assault in company, aggravated kidnapping, producing child abuse material and detaining for advantage.
Police will allege in court the group participated in ongoing sexual and physical abuse of three boys, who were known to them, between 2014 and 2016.
Ms Cook-Williams appeared at Penrith Local Court earlier this week and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
She is to appear via audiovisual link at Penrith Local Court when the matter is listed for mention on February 16.
The circus school describes itself as a “family friendly environment” offering all-abilities classes in juggling, aerial and unicycling.
In other posts in the past 12 months, Ms Cook-Williams also referred to her roles as a teacher at Blue Mountains Music Academy, and as an early childhood music teacher at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.
Last month, she sought someone to cover her position teaching music to 5 to 8-year-olds at Joan Sutherland, specifying the role required someone with a Working With Children Check.
Ms Cook-Williams also said she taught musical theatre to children at Applause Musical Theatre Academy, which has studios in Killarney, Roseville, Chatswood and St Ives.
The actor and musician who said she studied at the Australian Institute of Music also stars in a burlesque show of her design.
In the show’s description, the woman says she “delves into the depths of decay” beneath the glittering surface of her delusions.
THE CHARGES
Alleged offender, 26-year-old Katoomba woman: 13 offences, including aggravated sex assault in company, and detain for advantage.
Alleged offender, 29-year-old woman, Canterbury: five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company deprive liberty, and three counts of common assault.
Alleged offender, 52-year-old Katoomba man: three counts of aggravated sexual assault in company (child under 10), male child abuse material, and use child under 14 to make child abuse material.
Alleged offender, 52-year-old woman, Katoomba: 43 offences, including aggravated sexual assault of a child under 10, have sexual intercourse with a child under 10, and aggravated kidnapping.