Accused of child sex abuse, harpist who played for the Queen
AN internationally-acclaimed harpist who has performed for members of the Royal Family including the Queen has been accused of child sex abuse offences.
Danielle Perrett, 58, who has also played for four consecutive prime ministers, is charged with historic offences involving a teenage boy dating to the mid-1980s.
The criminal investigation has shocked the music world where she has developed a reputation as one of Britain’s finest musicians.
The virtuoso, who gained a diploma in harp playing just five years after taking up the instrument, has appeared at prestigious venues including Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Versailles. She entertained guests at Prince Philip’s 70th birthday party and has also played for Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of York.
Perrett, who denies seven counts of indecently assaulting the teenager, would have been in her 20s at the time of the alleged offences.
Her former partner Richard Barton-Wood, 68, is accused of five charges of indecent assault against the same boy, one attempted assault and two charges of an attempted serious sexual assault.
The warden and publicity officer at 12th century Wymondham Abbey in Norfolk, a short distance from his home, has denied all the charges.
Perrett refused to comment yesterday at her home in a converted mill in Alpheton near Sudbury, Suffolk.
Her husband, composer David Gough, 57, said: ‘We have been advised not to say anything.’
The defendants initially appeared before Ipswich magistrates on May 23 before a hearing at the town’s Crown court on Wednesday. Judge John Devaux told the defendants: ‘Your trial is fixed for January 2 next year. In the meantime you will have bail on the same basis as you have now.’ Perrett’s solic- itor, Jenny Wiltshire, said afterwards: ‘Miss 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 be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.’
her Award-winningdebut recital Perrettat the Purcell made Room in central London’s Southbank Centre in 1983 and has since made regular appearances as a soloist and in chamber music at major concert ven- ues around the world. She owns two single-action pedal harps dating from around 1800 and an Erard Gothic harp from 1841. Her scholarly research has led to the rediscovery of works for harp and horn dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In addition to teaching, including a period as head of the harp department at the London College of Music, she has appeared on national television and radio stations and in the BBC film of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She released her first CD in 1993.
‘Prestigious venues’