Woman told child she was in ‘loveless marriage’ to groom them, Royal Court told

THE TRIAL of a woman in her 70s accused of grooming and sexually abusing a child “tens of times” several decades ago opened in the Royal Court yesterday.

Denise Violet Pirouet, who is now 77, denies having engaged in a sexual relationship with the child. This progressed from kissing and touching to having sex with the child, who had not realised they were too young to consent, according to the prosecution.

She faces four charges of indecent assault and 11 charges of procuring an act of gross indecency. Three of these are alternative charges, which the jury can use if they think an offence has happened, but not as often as the prosecution say it did.

Ms Pirouet has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, said in her opening speech that Ms Pirouet’s behaviour was “grooming behaviour and sexually predatory”.

The prosecution claimed that Ms Pirouet had routinely had the child masturbate her, touch her, and that this “progressed to sexual intercourse”.

Appearing in front of the jury on Monday, the alleged victim described sitting near Ms Pirouet when they would touch one another.

At first, they touched fingers, which progressed to the child touching Ms Pirouet intimately, first over her clothing and then under it. They described a “pattern” of escalation.

The alleged victim said they had not realised at the time that they were below the age of consent. They described being “excited” to see her.

Often, when the sexual activities happened, Ms Pirouet had “a few” drinks, the individual claimed.

They said they had lost their virginity to Ms Pirouet and that the pair had sex “tens of times” after this – each time was “opportunistic”, the alleged victim claimed. If there wasn’t enough time, they would kiss and cuddle instead, the Royal Court heard.

The jury was told that Ms Pirouet would tell the young person they had more “experience” than her. She was also alleged to have told the child that she was “from a repressed background” due to being from South Africa, and said that she was in a loveless marriage.

“Looking back, it was just fluffing my ego,” the alleged victim said.

Ms Pirouet’s trial could last up to three weeks, the Royal Court was told. It continues this morning.

Advocate Simon Thomas is defending Ms Pirouet. Commissioner Sir John Saunders is presiding.