Harpist to the royals faces child sex charges
A RENOWNED harpist who has played for the Queen and other members of the Royal family is facing child sex abuse charges.
Danielle Perrett, 58, who has also performed for several prime ministers, is said to “vigorously” deny the allegations against her.
Her lawyer confirmed that she had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of indecently assaulting a teenage boy in the Eighties.
Ms Perrett’s former partner Richard Barton-wood, 68, has denied five charges of indecent assault on the same teenager, one attempted assault and two charges of attempted buggery.
The pair, who initially appeared before Ipswich magistrates on May 23, were bailed after appearing together at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday and will stand trial on Jan 2 next year.
Ms Perrett played at Prince Philip’s 70th birthday party and has also performed for the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex and the Duchess of York.
As well as being known as one of the UK’S finest harpists, she is also a teacher of the instrument.
Ms Perrett’s solicitor Jenny Wiltshire said yesterday: “Ms Perrett pleaded not guilty to all charges at the first appearance in the magistrates’ court. “She vigorously denies the allegations made against her. Her trial is scheduled to take place next year and as such it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
Ms Perrett refused to comment at her home in a converted mill in Alpheton near Sudbury, Suffolk.
Her husband, David Gough, 57, said: “We have been advised not to say anything.”
Mr Barton-wood, of Wymondham, Norfolk, who is a warden and publicity officer at 12th century Wymondham Abbey, pleaded not guilty to all the charges he faced at the Ipswich Crown Court hearing.
He is said to have been teaching in Suffolk when the offences allegedly happened in the mid-eighties.
Ms Perrett has played for VIPS at stately homes around the UK as well as at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and the Palace of Versailles.
She has performed solo and chamber music in countries around the world.
Her recordings have received critical acclaim and she has also appeared in several films, including the BBC’S TV film of the Jane Austen novel Persuasion.
Ms Perrett’s biography states that she is also a qualified Pilates teacher and a leading figure in promoting good posture and healthy performance practice for harpists and other musicians.
She has received several awards from the Arts Council of Great Britain.