The former professor of the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris (CNSMDP), 51, disputes these accusations.
In April 2021, after testimonies with its director, the conservatory had reported to the prosecutor, who had opened a preliminary investigation.
This first procedure concerns three former students.
Jérôme Pernoo is first suspected of sexual assault on a minor, in 2005 in London, on a student at the time aged 14, according to which his teacher "caressed his sex by surprise while he was asleep in his bed".
He is also suspected of sexual harassment of two young adults between 2011 and 2016, a man and a woman, by having established "a sexualized climate in the context of music lessons", the first reporting that he "touched (his) genitals under the guise of games" and the second "caressed the chest" during a party.
At the end of 2022, a renowned young musician, until now intervened in support of his mentor, chose in turn to denounce facts.
Another investigation was opened and Jérôme Pernoo was cited for sexual assault on a minor by a person in authority, at the time when the young man was between 15 and 17 years old, and for sexual harassment, at a time when he had become an adult.
The young cellist explained that the defendant had among other things "sought to kiss her", had "imposed various caresses" and sent "many messages of love".
At the beginning of the trial, Jérôme Pernoo was first questioned about testimonies of other students, describing a "trivialization of proximity" during classes, "hugs", "jokes of a sexual nature".
The defendant acknowledged "counterfeiting" of which he did not "give the fall" but denied any "sexual joke", saying that "this story of sexualization of courses is completely artificial".
He assured to be someone "tactile", who in general "kisses" and "takes in the arms", which he "refrains" today, but he refuted any "inappropriate contact".
A teacher at the CNSMDP since 2007, Mr. Pernoo was suspended and dismissed without notice or compensation in May 2022 following an administrative investigation and disciplinary proceedings. A decision confirmed in November by the administrative court: the teacher appealed.
© 2023 AFP