WIDA -- For the love of the dance

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Date Posted: Fri, Sep 21 2007, 8:51:18
Author: No name
Subject: WIDA
In reply to: Irishdaz 's message, "Let me make it clear - I do not support any paedophile. However, I am trying to separate my own strong feelings about an individual from the group he formed. I 100% agree he should be more open about being president, and on the original website he was. I have no idea why he doesn't do so still. If TCRG had not affiliated to WIDA it would not now exist. As it does I support them as teachers. I cannot do that without accepting the federation, even if I do not like the person at the top. Maybe one day he will be driven out and WIDA will continue without him as its head. It won't get big enough for that without being allowed to advertise, so I believe for the long term good of ID we have to accept matters not being quite as we'd like in the short term. I am not going to take part in this any further as I sense a tone that may lead to further mis-interpretation of my motives. Ideally convicted paedophiles should remain in prison for a long time but as they don't I have to accept that" on Thu, Sep 20 2007, 9:39:59

Having Googled this situation, it appears as if there are two sides to this story. The "child" in question was a disturbed 15 year old boy who often, it seems, made stuff up. SG has always denied the allegation. He was convicted but that does not make him guilty. At the time his class supported him 100% and he has never denied the conviction. Has anyone seen the film "The CHildren's Hour" starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclaine where a child makes an allegation which later turns out to be unfounded, with tragic consequences. I have no connection with WIDA but yes their organisation does need advertising. It's not all about Commission you know!

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[> [> This is not true. Read the detailed article about the trial. -- Link inside, Fri, Sep 21 2007, 13:15:09 [1]

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97372466.html

ALL SCOTS SLEEP WITH KIDS EXCLUSIVE : US jury rejects bizarre Michael Jackson-style claim

Lorna Hughes

A SCOT teaching American kids to dance has been convicted of sexually abusing one of his young pupils.

But in a bid to escape justice, Sean Gavan claimed it was normal for adults to sleep with children in Scotland.

The 41-year-old, who ran international dance schools in Glasgow and California, claimed it was common for Scots to share a bed with young boys.

His bizarre Michael Jackson-style claims were dismissed by the court.

Gavan, who teaches Irish dancing, was convicted of molesting a 15-year- old boy after enticing him into bed at his luxury home.

California police snared the pervert after secretly taping a telephone call between him and his schoolboy victim.

Gavan faces a lengthy prison sentence and could be deported to Scotland when he is released.

Last night, prosecutors said they were appalled by Gavan's claims.

District Attorney Kelly Hansen said: "He testified to the court that it was not unusual in Scotland for adults to share beds with children not related to them.

"Two of his character witnesses, who are Americans, said the same. They had clearly been influenced by him but to use that as his defence was bizarre."

Dance supremo Gavan consistently denied molesting the vulnerable teenager after getting into bed beside him following a Christmas party.

But he was convicted of lewd conduct after the jury in Corona, Riverside County, heard the taped phone call. In it, Gavan admits fondling the youngster and even apologises for his action.

Parents of some of his other pupils backed him during the trial - even allowing their children into the courtroom to hear the evidence.

His victim, who was in court to hear the verdict, broke down in tears.

Mr Hansen said: "This has been emotionally draining for the young boy.

"His whole world was Irish dance and since he reported the incident he has been banished and ostracised from that community. There has been support for Gavan by the parents and friends of other youngsters he taught.

"But I personally found it disturbing that these people were bringing their children - some as young as six - into the court to hear sexual testimony.

"Many of them refuse to believe, despite the taped call, that Gavan was capable of this crime."

A group of parents and pupils raised his L30,000 bail and have mounted a campaign to clear his name. They have posted poems and notes on his website.

But Mr Hansen said he believed that Gavan's victim had been carefully chosen by the pervert.

He said: "The young boy involved idolised the defendant and was going through emotional difficulties.

"He was a vulnerable teen and the defendant knew that and was able to take advantage of him."

The court heard that Gavan was friendly with many of his pupils and they would often stay overnight at his home.

He had told the boy that he would have to share a bed with him on the night of the incident in December 2000.

Some pupils were staying overnight at the teacher's home to prepare for an early-morning competition.

The 12-strong jury heard the boy told no one about the attack for several months before breaking down in tears one day on his way to school.

Mr Hansen said: "He had told a dance classmate who said that he ought to tell his mother.

"On the way to school he broke down in tears in the car and told her everything. Later he reported it to the authorities."

Police then taped the call between his 15-year-old victim and Gavan.

Since quitting Scotland, Gavan has become one of California's top Irish dance instructors.

His company - which has the Scottish thistle as its logo - owns seven schools in the area and students have won international and state awards.

Gavan has even appeared on TV and sponsors an annual Irish dance festival, "Feis Caledonia!"

He lives with English partner Kevin Cannon in an upmarket Corona townhouse. But he denies he is gay and told the court it was not a sexual affair but a "committed relationship".

Detective Brian Cervantes said: "Sean Gavan told us that there was nothing unusual in him sharing a bed with the boy. But he kept changing his story when he was questioned and as we only had the boy's account of what happened we decided to tape him."

Gavan will be sentenced on March 7 and could get up to three years in jail. Last week millionaire singer Michael Jackson revealed in a TV documentary that he regularly shared his bed with young boys - but denied all abuse claims.

He told interviewer Martin Bashir there was nothing wrong in sharing a bed with young boys. He claimed: "It's not sexual. I tuck them in. It's very charming. It's very sweet."

Prosecutors have decided not to investigate Jackson - who was accused of sex abuse in 1993 by a 13-year-old boy. A spokesman said that under Californian law, merely sleeping with a child without "affirmative, offensive conduct" was not a criminal offence.

HOW EVIL GAVAN WAS NAILED

EVIL Gavan was trapped after police got his 15-year-old victim to phone him. Police taped the conversation and then arrested the dance teacher at his townhouse in California.

Taped calls, under the strict control of a detective, are allowed to be used as evidence in US courts. Corona Police Detective Brian Cervantes, who investigated Gavan, said: "He never once denied it."

In the tape, the boy repeatedly asks Gavan, who lives with airline steward Kevin Cannon, why he attacked him. Gavan, who is on a mobile, says he is taking the call outside.

Boy: "I have a question for you..."

Gavan: "OK."

Boy: "Why did you put your hands down my pants and touch my **********?"

Gavan: (long pause).

Boy: "Sean?"

Gavan: "Mmm."

Boy: "Why did you do that?"

Gavan: "Where are you just now?"

Boy: "At home"

Gavan: (pause) "I apologise. It was a mistake."

Boy: "Did you think I was Kevin?"

Gavan: "That's part of it."

Boy: "What part?"

Gavan: (pause) "I was half asleep."

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[> [> what a horrible statement to make, this child and his family have gone through hell and you make comments like this. God help us all with people like you to contend with -- shocked, Fri, Sep 21 2007, 18:22:11 [1]

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