B.C. ballet school founder guilty of sex charges involving teenage student

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The girl told the court she became pregnant by Beales and had a miscarriage in the summer of 2020, before her Grade 11 year, and dropped out of school shortly afterwards.

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In finding him guilty of the two charges, Justice Liliane Bantourakis ruled Beales was not a credible witnesses, while the girl’s testimony was reliable and the Crown’s evidence met the burden of proving the charges against the man.

The judge found Beales’ control and influence over the girl, identified as E.R. in the decision, were enhanced by her vulnerability and isolation.

The ruling says he had significant control over the teen, at least until the school closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020, but their sexual relationship lasted until 2022.

“He was, as she described, the keeper of the information for her future career and she idolized him, thinking of him as above other people. E.R.’s dream of being a professional dancer and the role Mr. Beales played relative to that dream are significant.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press