Berwick music teacher Jason Stan sexually assaulted teen
A wannabe Berwick singer who claimed links to Britney Spears sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl after promising to help fulfil her dreams. In reality, Jason Stan was a Johnny O’Keefe impersonator on the RSL circuit.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A music teacher sexually assaulted a 13-year-old student after promising he could help fulfil her dream of a singing career, a court has heard.
Singer Jason Stan, aka Stanczewski, assaulted his victim during weekly singing lessons at his father’s Berwick home, and at the Taylors Hill home he shared with his wife.
The victim’s mother hired Stan after she spotted his advertisement in a newspaper and found photos of him with “famous singers” on the internet.
She believed Stan could get her daughter a start in the music industry.
The lessons began at Stan’s Berwick recording studio in 2003 – after he told the mother it would be easier if she wasn’t there.
His studio contained a corkboard which displayed photos of previous students. Stan said some of these past students now had a musical career including “singing backup for Britney Spears”.
He gave the mother and her daughter “the impression he signed them all up to various musical labels”, the court heard.
Stan told the mother her daughter was ready to record a “demo” after several lessons but he needed one full-day each week to achieve this.
The mother was hesitant but Stan showed her a website he created which promoted the girl’s talent.
Stan began his lewd offending soon after.
The sexual misconduct – including alleged uncharged acts – lasted until 2005 when Stan told his victim he had to “see her less” because she was “getting older”.
Stan’s depraved acts came unstuck when his victim told school friends she had sex with her music teacher.
Police didn’t arrest Stan until April 11, 2018.
Investigators seized Stan’s phone and laptop but he refused access.
Stan, 49, was sentenced in the County Court on Tuesday to a minimum three years and 11 months after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16.
The court heard Stan left Dandenong High to study music at the Australian National Theatre.
He later worked as a singer/songwriter, hairdresser and music teacher and performed in live “music shows”.
Stan is “best known” for his role as Johnny O’Keefe in stage show Sing Sing Sing — The Johnny O’Keefe Show according to his website.
The father of two also released a song called My Name Is Schapelle inspired by convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.
Stan has accrued more than 27,000 Instagram followers despite being a mainstay of the RSL performance circuit.
Judge Susan Pullen said Stan’s offending involved a “breach of trust”.
“The victim was vulnerable and you promised her a singing career,” Judge Pullen said.
“You took advantage of that situation”.
Judge Pullen found Stan’s attitude “troubling” after he claimed the victim and her mother both dressed “provocatively”.
MORE CITY NIGHTCLUB BOUNCER LAUGHED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT
BILLBOARD RAPIST FILMED SCHOOLGIRL SEX ATTACK
BERWICK HIGH TEACHER MOLESTED STUDENT ON SCHOOL TRIP
Stan claimed the mother and her daughter were “in competition” over him, the court heard.
He also said his victim “knew exactly what she was doing”.
“Your attempt to put blame on the victim, in my opinion, is troubling,” Judge Pullen said.
“You are the adult, it is your responsibility to avoid offending …
“I remain concerned given your attitude to this offending.”
Stan, who also pleaded guilty to failing comply with a direction to assist police, was sentenced to a maximum five years and 11 months.
He had spent 120 days in custody at the time of sentencing.