Former English National Ballet principal dancer, 48, 'groped three young women while working as private dance teacher'

  • Yat-Sen Chang accused of molesting a student and her friend at London school
  • There is a third alleged victim but no further details were given in court today 
  • Chang now lives in Germany, works at dance school and indicated not guilty plea

A former principal dancer of the English National Ballet has appeared in court accused of groping three young women while working as a dance teacher.  

Yat-Sen Chang faces 14 charges of sexual assault in relation to three women in London between December 2014 and December 2016. 

The 48-year-old, who now lives in Germany and performs at a dance school there, is alleged to have molested a female student and her friend at the West London School of Dance.   

The woman, who was over 16, was receiving private tuition from Chang when she was assaulted, Westminster Magistrates Court heard today. 

Yat-Sen Chang (pictured outside Westminster Magistrates Court) faces 14 charges of sexual assault in relation to three women in London between December 2014 and December 2016

Yat-Sen Chang (pictured outside Westminster Magistrates Court) faces 14 charges of sexual assault in relation to three women in London between December 2014 and December 2016

Chang is pictured (centre) performing The Snow Queen at the English National Ballet in London in January 2010. He joined in 1993 after moving to the UK from Cuba, where he was born. He left the position as principal dancer in 2011.

Chang is pictured (centre) performing The Snow Queen at the English National Ballet in London in January 2010. He joined in 1993 after moving to the UK from Cuba, where he was born. He left the position as principal dancer in 2011.

The former dance teacher is said to have touched the genitals of the pupil and her friend, who is also over 16.

A third alleged victim was mentioned in court but no details of that charge were given.

Rose Edwin, prosecuting, said the crimes showed 'a high degree of breach of trust.'

She said: 'He is a well known and highly respected dancer.

The 48-year-old, (outside court today) who now lives in Germany and performs at a dance school there, is alleged to have molested a female student and her friend at the West London School of Dance

The 48-year-old, (outside court today) who now lives in Germany and performs at a dance school there, is alleged to have molested a female student and her friend at the West London School of Dance

'There are three complainants in respect of this matter. Victim one is an ex-pupil who had private lessons at the academy's premises.

'Victim two is a friend of victim one who also made allegations of sexual touching.

'Police are contacted by Hammersmith council with concerns about sexual touching.'

Referring to the severity of the crimes when asked by District Judge Angus Hamilton, she said: 'It was two individuals and the touching of naked genitalia.

'The first two victims we say are in category two. The other is a category three.'

The court heard how Chang lives with his partner Emma and has a daughter in the UK. She is also a dancer.

Ms Edwin said: 'He lives in Germany and is employed there on a contract with a dance school. He is performer not a teacher he does not have any supervisory role.

'He lives with his partner Emma who was his partner at the time the allegations were made.

'He does have a daughter who resides here in the UK. She is herself a ballet student'

Chang sat in the dock wearing a light blue suit over a quilted black gilet and black turtle-neck jumper and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address, and nationality as Cuban.

Chang was bailed at Westminster Magistrates Court (pictured) and his case adjourned until another hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on February 6

Chang was bailed at Westminster Magistrates Court (pictured) and his case adjourned until another hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on February 6 

His barrister, Catherine Daly, indicated he would plead not guilty to all charges when he appears at Isleworth Crown Court next month.

The alleged offences came to light when police were contacted by Hammersmith Council.

Chang was granted bail until his next court appearance on February 6 on the condition he does not contact the alleged victims.

Concluding the hearing, District Judge Hamilton said: 'I have made the decision that your case is of such a serious nature it must be dealt with at the crown court.

'I'm sending you to crown court unconditional bail and the one condition is that you do not contact directly or indirectly.'

Chang joined the English Nation Ballet in 1993 after moving to the UK from Cuba, where he was born. He left the position as principal dancer in 2011.

During his career he has danced leading roles in productions including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, San Lake, and Romeo and Juliet.

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