Performing arts school rape accused revealed

Therese Cook, 58, is understood to be the central figure in the police case. She has been charged with 43 offences, including aggravated assault of a child, sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and holding children against their will

The four people facing allegations of horrific abuse of little boys can be revealed as a brother and sister and their young relatives after a court order was lifted. 

Police have alleged a trio of boys aged younger than 10 were subjected to repeated rape and assault in ‘sadistic’ incidents between June 2014 and April last year. 

Daily Mail Australia understands Therese Cook, 58, is the central figure in the police case. 

She has been charged with 43 offences, including aggravated assault of a child, sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and holding children against their will. 

Her sibling, Paul Cook, 52, has been accused of filming at least one encounter on his mobile phone and three counts of aggravated sexual assault in company. 

One of the most heinous allegations is against burlesque dancer Yyani-Rose Cook-Williams, 29, who is understood to be Therese’s daughter. 

She is accused of ‘inciting’ a boy to rape another little boy on Anzac Day last year. Police allege she also raped both of the little boys in company with her mother.  

Clarissa Meredith, revealed as 23 in court documents, has been charged with rape, assaulting two of the boys and depriving a boy of his liberty. She is reportedly also a daughter of Therese Cook. 

All four adults are alleged to have lived together in two homesteads on a dilapidated rural property next to a dog pound on the outer reaches of Sydney.  

One of the most heinous allegations is against burlesque dancer Yyani-Rose Cook-Williams, 29

Ms Cook-Williams is pictured here

One of the most heinous allegations is against burlesque dancer Yyani-Rose Cook-Williams, 29

All four members of the alleged ring shared this  property in Sydney's greater west

All four members of the alleged ring shared this property in Sydney’s greater west

A dirty polka-dot bow tie laid next to the front gate when Daily Mail Australia visited the property on Wednesday

A dirty polka-dot bow tie laid next to the front gate when Daily Mail Australia visited the property on Wednesday

The remains of a swing set sits collapsed on the ground outside the bush property, which sits next to a dog pound

The remains of a swing set sits collapsed on the ground outside the bush property, which sits next to a dog pound

Sitting on the expansive property were two homesteads, a large storage shed for bikes and a cargo container 

Sitting on the expansive property were two homesteads, a large storage shed for bikes and a cargo container 

A polka dot bow tie sat at the front gate, hounds howled and windows were left opened at the deserted estate when Daily Mail Australia visited this week. 

The only sign of life was a packed Country Road bag sitting at the front door – no doubt a sign an occupant was ready to leave.     

The home – which includes a bungalow out the back- was left totally deserted except for a pair of sleeping dogs. 

WHY COULDN’T THE ACCUSED ADULTS BE NAMED UNTIL NOW? 

The identities of the four adults were suppressed on an interim basis by a Sydney court this week after their lawyer argued it was necessary. 

But after hearing evidence from the media, after days of waiting a magistrate lifted the order on their names on Thursday afternoon.  

Friends of the group who visited the property claimed the media attention had been ‘invasive’. 

But they were perhaps unaware of the scale of the allegations faced by the group.  

Court documents alleged Therese Cook began indecently assaulting the boys in early 2015.

Then, one boy was three-years-old and the other was just seven, court documents alleged.   

A Sydney court has heard the group was first made aware of the allegations against them last September. 

The home where all four members of the group are alleged to have lived was left completely deserted on Wednesday

The home where all four members of the group are alleged to have lived was left completely deserted on Wednesday

This is one view of the hall where the performing arts group operated. It was eerily quiet during a visit on Wednesday

This is one view of the hall where the performing arts group operated. It was eerily quiet during a visit on Wednesday

Pottery and craft supplies were on display inside the western Sydney hall where the group worked 

Pottery and craft supplies were on display inside the western Sydney hall where the group worked 

There was no sign of life at the hall following the arrests of four adult members of the performing arts group

There was no sign of life at the hall following the arrests of four adult members of the performing arts group

Four people connected to a children's performing arts school - including a 29-year-old - have collectively been charged with 69 offences

A 58-year-old woman allegedly began indecently assaulting the boys when they were as young as three-years-old

The accused: A 29-year-old burlesque performer (left) and a 58-year-old woman (right) were among the arrested

Police have accused one of the three women, aged 29, of inciting one little boy to have sex with another little boy

Police have accused one of the three women, aged 29, of inciting one little boy to have sex with another little boy

The man has been accused of twice filming sex encounters with the boys on his mobile phone

The man has been accused of twice filming sex encounters with the boys on his mobile phone

  

Bail documents said the 58-year-old performing arts matriarch – who faces 43 charges, the most of the group – claimed to police she should get bail because ‘she did not do what she is accused of’.

She also told police she had a ‘daughter who is dependent on her’.

But she was denied bail as there was ‘a strong prosecution case and the length of time spent in custody is not likely to exceed the sentence imposed after conviction’, the documents said.

Police have expressed horror at the allegations, with a source telling News Corp they were the ‘most disturbing things I’ve read in 24 years’. 

It has been claimed some of the allegations involving the small boys included ‘blood rituals’. 

The group’s defence lawyer protested their innocence earlier this week. 

‘They say we simply didn’t do this,’ Bryan Wrench said.

‘They have been aware of these allegations (since) September last year and have been at liberty since that time.’

Not guilty pleas have been entered to every charge. 

The four will apply to be released on bail late next week.

THE SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FOUR MEMBERS OF A PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

A 58-year-old 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 this week. 

A 23-year-old 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 this week. 

A 29-year-old 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 this week. 

A 52-year-old 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.

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.

Source: NSW Police, court documents

 

 

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