EXCLUSIVE: Ballroom dance champion faces jail over intercourse offences

A ballroom dance champion who faces jail for string of intercourse offences towards an underage woman held a senior place defending younger youngsters from abuse, it has emerged.

Richard Still was the lead safeguarding officer for the British Dance Council (BDC) – ballroom dancing’s governing physique – when he paid a woman to ship him sexual photographs.

The 38-year-old father of 1 has additionally admitted sexual exercise with the woman when he appeared at Reading Crown Court.

At the time the offences have been carried out he held the place of Acting Safeguard Officer whereas operating a Berkshire dance college.

He was appointed by the BDC in May 2022 and his offending started two months later in July 2022. He was arrested in March 2023.

In his position as safeguarding officer, it was Still’s job to analyze claims by college students that that they had been abused by their lecturers and to prioritise the security of these studying to bop. 

Richard Still, 38, (pictured) who has competed in worldwide Latin and Ballroom dance championships, admitted to asking a woman to ship him photographs that have been sexual or erotic in nature in trade for cash paid into her checking account

Four different fees – together with making and possessing indecent photographs of a kid and fascinating in sexual communication – have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service

 Still competed in worldwide competitions for 4 years earlier than retiring from competitions in 2010

Officials with the British Dance Council at the moment are reviewing all instances he was concerned with.

Christopher Hawkins, President of the BDC, stated Still’s licences have been instantly suspended when the allegations have been first made.

He stated the BDC had cooperated totally with police and social employees after being made conscious of the allegations made towards Still.

The former beginner champion has pleaded responsible to 4 fees involving an underage woman who can’t be named for authorized causes.

He has been compelled to shut his dance college in Reading, Berkshire, and is now working as a handyman.

As a part of his bail situations forward of sentencing subsequent month he should stay on the dwelling he shares together with his dance instructor spouse and never be within the firm of a kid with out an grownup being current.

In a press release on their Facebook web page the BDC President Christopher Hawkins sought to re-assure dad and mom and kids that they’ve acted swiftly.

Hawkins stated: ‘On understanding the serious nature of the case brought against him, we also ordered a review into concerns that Richard Still handled whilst he himself held the position of Safeguarding Lead.

‘Mt Still was appointed to the position of Acting Safeguarding Officer for a short period by the former President of the BDC. This appointment was made with no reference to the Board of Directors.

‘The British Dance Council would like to re-assure the dance sector that since the date we became aware of the Richard Still allegations, we immediately suspended his licences as a protective measure.

‘We have also worked closely with the Police and Social Services throughout their investigation. We continue to do so.’

Still, from Earley, close to Reading, Berkshire, competed in worldwide tournaments earlier than opening the Vibex Dance Studio close to his dwelling.

It has since closed and all branding and indicators from the studio faraway from the constructing in Woodley.

He is not listed as a director of the corporate.

Still will likely be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on December nineteenth.