Katoomba’s Arcade Circus school accused of child sex abuse

One of the seven people charged over an alleged child sex abuse scandal linked to a circus school has been revealed as glamorous performer, Yyani Cook-Williams.

The 29-year-old, three other women, two men and a 17-year-old girl were arrested at various Sydney addresses on Monday by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

All seven, who face a total of 127 charges over the rape and kidnapping of three boys under the age of eight, have connections to Katoomba business, The Arcade Circus.

Some of the accused are alleged to have performed sadistic rituals involving taking blood from the young boys before they were forced to drink it, the ABC reported. 

One of the seven people charged over an alleged child sex abuse scandal linked to a circus school has been revealed as glamorous performer, Yyani Cook-Williams (pictured)

All seven to have been charged have connections to Katoomba business The Arcade Circus (file photo)

All seven to have been charged have connections to Katoomba business The Arcade Circus (file photo)

Cook-Williams is a teacher and co-director at the company and has also worked in theatre, television and burlesque, according to her online profiles. 

She also runs children’s programs, Music for Toddlers and Krotchet Kids, at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.

The 29-year-old recently took to social media calling for a music teacher to cover a class, with the requirement of a Working With Children Check.  

‘Looking for someone to cover a five to eight-year-old music class in Penrith for two weeks in February. Must have WWCC and insurance,’ she wrote. 

Earlier, Cook-Williams spoke of her challenges in 2017 and her optimism for the future.  

The 29-year-old recently took to social media calling for a music teacher to cover a class, with the requirement of a Working With Children Check

The 29-year-old recently took to social media calling for a music teacher to cover a class, with the requirement of a Working With Children Check

Pictured, inside the circus training hall at the centre of the alleged child abuse 

Pictured, inside the circus training hall at the centre of the alleged child abuse 

‘Lots of ups and downs this year. I did a bunch of stuff I’d wanted to do for a long time – my first solo Cabaret, my first time performing Burlesque,’ she wrote.

‘But this year has also included some of the worst, most challenging days of my life. Ready for 2018 now.’

Her social media pages reveal her love of the limelight, with countless photos showing her performing on stage wearing extravagant outfits and makeup. 

Less than 48 hours ago, she expressed her excitement after purchasing tickets to a concert for a popular folk band. 

‘Can’t wait to see this! Saw this band for the first time at the Blue Mountains Music Festival probably ten years ago, and loved it,’ she wrote.

A shed at The Arcade Circus in Katoomba is pictured after seven people with links to the company were charged over child sex offences

A shed at The Arcade Circus in Katoomba is pictured after seven people with links to the company were charged over child sex offences

In other posts, she has expressed her support for Manus Island refugees and advocated marriage equality. 

The 29-year-old, from Canterbury in Sydney’s inner-west, has been charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, deprive liberty and three counts of common assault. 

Her Solicitor Bryan Wrench said the family had been aware of the investigation and all would be pleading not guilty.

‘What’s happened is they were aware of these offences six months ago,’ Mr Wrench told Central Local Court on Tuesday. 

Cook-Williams spoke of her challenges in 2017 and her optimism for the future in her social media posts

Cook-Williams spoke of her challenges in 2017 and her optimism for the future in her social media posts

The 29-year-old, from Canterbury in Sydney's inner-west, has been charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, deprive liberty and three counts of common assault

The 29-year-old, from Canterbury in Sydney’s inner-west, has been charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, deprive liberty and three counts of common assault

The company at the centre of the scandal caters to children, some with disabilities, and describes itself as ‘a family friendly environment where students can learn in a safe and fun manor’. 

The Arcade Circus owner, Therese Ann Cook, 58, has been charged with 43 offences. 

They included aggravated sexual assault of a child under 10, sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and aggravated kidnapping. 

Cook formed the The Arcade Circus in 2009, ‘a community based mixed ability circus,’ according to an online profile.

She ‘continues to cherish, train and perform with The Arcade Circus ensemble,’ the profile reads.  

Therese Ann Cook, 58, who owns the Katoomba-based company, was charged with 43 offences

Therese Ann Cook, 58, who owns the Katoomba-based company, was charged with 43 offences

The is the Katoomba circus training centre at the centre of shocking child abuse allegations 

The is the Katoomba circus training centre at the centre of shocking child abuse allegations 

Police allege the group participated in the ongoing sexual and physical abuse of the three boys, who were known to them, between 2014 and 2016 in the Blue Mountains. 

All seven were refused bail to appear in various courts on Tuesday.

A 17-year-old girl, an 18-year-old Katoomba man and a 20-year-old Canterbury woman will appear at a children’s court.

Two women, one aged 26 and Therese Ann Cook, as well as a man, 52, will appear at Penrith Local Court.

The charges range from assault and kidnapping to aggravated sexual assault in company (child under 10) to using a child under 14 to make child abuse material.  

THE SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE ARCADE CIRCUS

A 17-year-old girl was charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, aggravated kidnapping, and producing child abuse material.

An 18-year-old Katoomba man was charged with 42 offences, including kidnapping, sexual intercourse with a child under 10, and common assault.

A 20-year Old Canterbury woman was charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping take person in company and commit serious indictable offence, two counts of common assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

All three people were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today.

A 26-year-old Katoomba woman was charged with 13 offences, including aggravated sex assault in company, and detain for advantage.

She was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Tuesday 6 February 2018).

A 29-year Canterbury woman was charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault in company deprive liberty, and three counts of common assault.

She was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.

A 52-year-old Katoomba man was charged 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.

He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.

A 58-year-old Katoomba woman was charged with 43 offences, including aggravated sexual assault of a child under 10, have sexual intercourse with a child under 10, and aggravated kidnapping.

She was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.

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 in the Blue Mountains.

Source: NSW Police 

 

  

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