EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE: Our world was torn apart when our daughter, 15, was sexually abused by dance teacher Richard Still – now we’re campaigning to prevent other families enduring the same trauma

The parents of a teenager sexually abused by a dance teacher have told friends how their ‘world has been torn apart.’

As the former UK ballroom dance champion Richard Still was today jailed for six years and eight months, the couple told friends they are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to their 15-year-old daughter.

They have called for an independent body be set up to monitor dance schools and the behaviour of teachers so other families avoid the trauma they have endured.

And they are also highly critical of the sport’s governing body who they say appointed Still as the person responsible for the welfare of students when he was dogged by numerous claims of inappropriate behaviour.

The 38-year-old showed no emotion as he was sentenced to almost seven years behind bars, having earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and a single charge of inciting child prostitution or pornography.

His arrest and conviction has shocked the ballroom dancing world.

Richard Still, who was one of the UK’s top Latin and Ballroom dancers competing in competitions worldwide, ‘groomed’ his victim over several months

Accused ballroom dance champion Richard Still performing with another dancer. There is no suggestion the other dancer pictured had any close relationship with him

Richard Still pictured outside his home in Reading last month

The family told friends : ‘Since we learned that our child was sexually abused by a dance teacher our world has been torn apart.

‘The fact that someone in a position of trust who is as member of a regulatory body could do such a thing was incomprehensible’.

MailOnline has learned other concerned parents first raised the alarm about the paedophile dance teacher seven years ago.

They complained about his multiple affairs with adult students that were said to be an open secret at his dance studio. Three women have told MailOnline about affairs.

One woman attending his classes even told how she feared she was being stalked by the UK Latin and Ballroom dance champion.

But their pleas to the governing body for dance teachers for an investigation went unanswered, they say – and years later the 38-year-old was arrested for underage sex.

MailOnline has seen emails sent to the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers from 2016 when concerns about Still and his ‘inappropriate behaviour’ were first raised.

One email describes how female students felt ‘intimidated and threatened’ by Still who ran the Vibez dance studio in Reading, Berkshire.

Accused ballroom champion Richard Still performing a show dance. There is no suggestion the other dancer pictured had any close relationship with him

The women who complained had young children attending the Latin and Ballroom classes run by the Still. 

One of the women told MailOnline: ‘It was common knowledge among all those who went to his dance studio that he was having affairs with students. They were all adults, and not children. It was consensual, but that sort of behaviour was totally inappropriate for a dancer teacher.

‘Contact was made with the ISDT. There was no response.

‘All those who knew what was going on were in total disbelief at the situation, but he got away with it.’

Still was appointed the lead safeguarding officer for another regulatory body for dancing, The British Dance Association, in 2022.

He resigned his position after being arrested earlier this year on underage sex charges.

As the lead safeguarding officer, it was his job to investigate claims of inappropriate behaviour involving teachers and their students.

‘Putting him in that role was rather like putting a fox to guard a chicken coop,’ said one of the mothers who complained in 2016.

‘He was the person who was meant to investigate any allegations that were made by students, yet he was responsible for abusing this teenager. It just seems incredible that those meant to be monitoring the sport were not taking any notice of what people were saying.’

Still, 38, showed no emotion as he was sentenced to almost seven years behind bar. Pictured: last month

Still’s affairs with students became common knowledge among those attending his dance classes at his studio above a supermarket in Woodley, a suburb of Reading.

After one fling his wife kicked him out of their home in Earley and he was forced to sleep on a friend’s sofa. His wife later relented and allowed him back into the marital home.

A previous relationship with his dance partner ended after she found out he was cheating on her.

A former student who attended Still’s class said: ‘He made no secret that he was pursuing these women. He is a skilled liar and manipulative. That sort of behaviour should never have been tolerated, but he was allowed to get away with it for so long.’

Still’s conviction has sent shockwaves through the world of Latin and Ballroom dancing where many parents fear their children could fall prey to predatory teachers.

One father told MailOnline dance classes were a ‘paradise of paedophiles.’

He said: ‘There has to be much tougher rules and regulations if we do not want another Richard Still situation.

‘You have 12-year-old girls who are dressed and made up to look like 21-year-olds. There should be an independent body that is set up to make sure that these young children are looked after properly.

‘We cannot rely on the governing bodies that are already there to oversee the sport.’

Other parents said they were concerned that not enough was being done to protect young children many of whom began dancing at the age of five or six.

The mother said: ‘It is almost as if the governing bodies want to brush this all under the carpet. They do not want anyone to know what goes on. It is all wrong and children need to be protected.’

Still was appointed the lead safeguarding officer for another regulatory body for dancing, The British Dance Association, in 2022. There is no suggestion the other dancer pictured had any close relationship with him

Parents are particularly critical of the British Dance Council who they claim failed to make any statement about Still until he pleaded guilty in October.

He was arrested in March and had initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea.

‘The fact that the British Dance Council made no statement regarding safeguarding despite the arrest of their lead officer for serious safeguarding offences is beyond belief,’ said one parent.

‘They are more concerned about protecting themselves.’

In a statement on their website the BDC said Still’s licences to teach were immediately suspended when the sex abuse allegations were first made.

The parents of his victim sat grim faced in the public gallery at Reading Crown Court as the prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson outlined the extent of the grooming and said the girl fell pregnant. She later had a termination.

Still was told by the judge he had abused the trust of the victim’s parents.

Judge Amwad Nawaz told Still he had used emotional blackmail on his victim to stop her telling anyone about their sexual relationship.

He said there had been planning on Still’s part telling him: ‘You knew exactly what you were doing.

‘You were much older in this relationship and broke the trust which is an aggravating factor.’

The judge accepted he had apologised to the family and had shown genuine remorse.

‘The grooming of the girl over a period of time was a an abuse of trust.’

The court heard the father-of-one ran the Vibez dance studio in Woodley, Berkshire, and had groomed the teen over a period of months.

He had begun sending her messages that had become more sexual in their content. He also asked her to send photos of herself that were sexual in content.

Prosecutor Mr Ward Jackson said Still would pay small amounts of money up to £100 into her bank account and would buy her clothes and lingerie, including lace bras and knickers.

‘It was part of a grooming exercise to win her over and to sexualise her. Payments of £10, £30 and up to £100 were paid into her bank account. The money amounted to several hundred pounds.’

Still first had sex with the teenager in January this year after booking a hotel room in Bournemouth and later on another occasion in the back of his car after driving her to an isolated spot.

The court was told her parents had no idea about the relationship and only found out when a friend was given access to her Instagram account and spotted the sexual messages.

Police launched an investigation, and it was discovered that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was pregnant.

After his arrest the 38-year-old told his wife: ‘I am in big trouble now.’

Still initially answered no comment during a police interview after being arrested his dance studio.

Defence barrister Quentin Hunt said Still had asked him to apologise to the girl, her family and the public.

In mitigation he said Still had been under stress due to keeping his business going and the pregnancy of his wife.

Hunt said he had made an ‘error of judgement’ and had now lost his career as a dancer teacher.

He said Still had been the victim of targeted attacks with his car vandalised and eggs thrown at his hours.

Still was told he will be placed on the sex offenders register.

Christoper Hawkins, the BDC President said: ‘The British Dance Council are appalled with the actions of one of its former Directors.

‘There is no place for abuse in the dance sector of any child, young person or vulnerable adult.

‘Richard Still abused the position of trust he was afforded as a professional dance teacher and we offer our support, in any way we can, to the young victim in this case.

‘Since the case came to light I’ve appointed a new President and an independent Safeguarding Officer with significant experience in managing investigations and an extensive knowledge in safeguarding.

‘We continue to work closely with all our member bodies to ensure the dance sector is a safer space for children young people and vulnerable adults.’

A spokesman for the ISDT said: ‘We recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We are committed to promoting the wellbeing of all who interact with us – our students, exam candidates, members, staff, contractors and volunteers.

‘We have set out our commitment to safeguarding in our safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. Teachers, students and members of the public are encouraged to raise any safeguarding concerns by contacting: [email protected]. 

‘All concerns raised are investigated, in liaison – where appropriate – with the Police Service and other relevant statutory authorities. However, ISTD has no authority to investigate allegations against individuals who are not members of the Society.

‘Richard Still did not become a member of the Society until May 2018. As soon as we were informed about allegations against Mr Still on 23 March 2023, the ISTD took immediate action to suspend his membership with the ISTD in accordance with our Rules and Standing Orders and Member Agreement / Professional Code of Conduct.

The Standards Board will convene in early January to confirm the ISTDs course of action against Mr Still. Our sympathies go to the victims and their families impacted by the actions of Mr Still.’

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