A 77-YEAR-OLD woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a child decades ago has been found not guilty of all charges against her, following a trial in which her defence described the allegations as “fantasy”.
There were emotional scenes in the Royal Court as Denise Violet Pirouet was unanimously acquitted by a jury of 15 offences, including 11 counts of procuring an act of gross indecency and four counts of indecent assault. The panel deliberated for just under six hours, following a trial that had lasted more than a week.
Some of the charges were presented as alternative counts, allowing the jury to convict if they believed offences occurred but not to the frequency alleged by the prosecution.
During the trial, Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho told jurors that Mrs Pirouet had engaged in a relationship with the complainant that began with touching and kissing before escalating to sex, at a time when the child was too young to legally consent.
But Advocate Simon Thomas, defending, strongly denied the claims, branding them “a fantasy”.
He presented several character references in support of Mrs Pirouet, which described her as “generous” and “kind”.
Mrs Pirouet also took the stand in her own defence, and was described by her lawyer as “unshakeable” in denying the allegations.
He asked the jury: “How could they have got away with it without anyone noticing?”
He also noted that Mrs Pirouet had given evidence despite her right not to.
The trial took place before Commissioner Sir John Saunders, with around 16 to 20 people in the public gallery, many of whom were visibly emotional and embracing following the not guilty verdict.
