Charges of sexual assault involving young children associated with a Katoomba circus school have been delayed in the courts until at least February.
At a brief hearing in Penrith Local Court today, the Director of Public Prosecutions sought an adjournment to allow police more time to prepare the case.
The court heard that three of the complainants, who now live in Tasmania, had been re-interviewed last month. There are many hours of tapes that now have to be transcribed.
Police estimated the transcriptions would not be completed until February.
Therese Ann Cook, 58, Paul Cook, 52, Yyani Cook-Williams, 30, and Clarissa Meredith, 23, are all facing multiple charges including sexual abuse, kidnapping and making child abuse material.
Three others, who cannot be named, have also been charged and are being dealt with in the children’s court.
All seven have been released on bail.
The offences allegedly occurred at the training circus premises in Katoomba and date back to 2015.
Barrister Bryan Wrench said he reluctantly agreed to an adjournment “because we want to see all the evidence”.
The case will return to Penrith Court on February 1. The juvenile co-accused are due to reappear in the children’s court in March.