HARPIST DANIELLE PERRETT FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUALLY ABUSING BOY
A prominent harpist and her former partner have been convicted of sexually abusing a schoolboy in the 1980s.Danielle Perrett, who has performed for The Queen, was found to have taken the boy's virginity and engaged in sexual acts with him, according to Ipswich Crown Court proceedings.
She was convicted on six counts of indecent assault.
Her ex-fiancé, Richard Barton-Wood, was found guilty of seven counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The court heard that Perrett, aged 59 and residing in Alpheton, Suffolk, had assaulted the teenager on numerous occasions.
Barton-Wood, aged 68 from Wymondham, Norfolk, who worked as a substitute teacher at the boy’s school, sexually assaulted him during sailing and camping trips.
Over the course of a four-week trial, it was revealed that Perrett undressed and got into bed with the boy, engaging in sexual activity.
Barton-Wood later joined them in bed and also committed indecent acts against the victim.
Both defendants denied the allegations, asserting that the accuser was attempting to blackmail them.
Perrett additionally claimed that the boy had sexually assaulted her in the shower.
The court determined that both will face imprisonment and will be required to register as sex offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for the week starting 26 February.
