YAT-SEN CHANG, FORMER LONDON BALLET TUTOR, SENTENCED IN WEST LONDON
A former ballet instructor at a dance school in west London has been convicted and sentenced for multiple counts of sexual assault.Yat-Sen Chang, 49 (born 16 October 1971), residing at Theatre Kiel in Germany, was found guilty of thirteen sexual assault charges on Tuesday, 11 May, after a two-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.
On the following Wednesday, 20 October, he received a nine-year imprisonment sentence at the same court.
The case involved allegations from four victims identified as Victim A, Victim B, Victim C, and Victim D.
During the time of the offences, Chang was working as a ballet tutor at a west London dance school.
The police investigation began in 2016 after Victims A and B reported seven sexual offences committed by Chang over a two-year span.
Subsequently, Victims C and D also came forward with allegations of seven sexual offences committed over a three-year period.
These incidents took place during private ballet lessons with each victim.
An investigation by the West Area Child Abuse Unit was initiated following these reports.
Chang was arrested on 14 April 2016 on suspicion of sexual assault and was questioned again on 27 August 2020.
He denied all allegations.
He was charged twice — initially on 12 December 2019 and again on 10 November 2020 — with a total of 14 counts of sexual assault involving four females.
The charges covered incidents that happened between 1 December 2009 and 10 April 2016 at a west London dance school, his private residence, and a London ballet school.
After the trial, Chang was unanimously convicted of twelve counts of sexual assault against a female, as well as one count of sexual assault by penetration of a female.
He was acquitted of one charge.
Detective Constable Helen Larson from the West Area Child Abuse Unit stated: “Chang abused his position of trust and power to prey on his young victims when they were most vulnerable.
The sentencing today has put a dangerous and predatory individual behind bars, and I am sure that this has prevented further offences taking place.” She added, “The victims showed extreme bravery and courage in reporting the incident and helping us to bring Chang to justice.
I hope that the result today brings them some closure so they can begin to move on with their lives.” The Metropolitan Police emphasize their ongoing commitment to addressing and preventing sexual offenses, ensuring offenders are imprisoned and victims are supported.
They encourage anyone with information or who has been victimized to contact the police, assuring them that specially trained officers are available to offer advice and handle all allegations seriously.
