A 16-year-old who has accused former Ready Steady Cook host Peter Everett of indecently touching him has spoken publicly about the relationship with the television personality and the events that followed, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday.
Everett, 66, was charged with sexually touching the boy without consent after an incident alleged to have taken place on the New South Wales Central Coast on the afternoon of July 25. Court documents state the alleged touching occurred between 4.10 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. The former TV presenter was arrested at his home the next day and has pleaded not guilty in Parramatta Local Court. A magistrate will hear the matter at a full local court hearing scheduled for June next year.
The teenager, who the Daily Mail reported is diagnosed with high-functioning autism, told the newspaper he had walked past Everett’s home and had last seen him “just before the school holidays.” He said he had his hood up as he walked down the street on the afternoon in question but did not want to appear rude to Everett. The teenager’s father, who cannot be publicly identified, told the paper his son reported the alleged assault to him about 15 minutes after passing the television presenter’s property.
The father said he knew Everett in passing from living in the local community and that he chose not to confront Everett directly after the allegation, but instead contacted police. “I just thought I’m not going to confront him [over the allegation],” the father was quoted as saying. “We are going to do this properly and report it to the police.” The father also said police took the teenager’s clothing and other items as part of the investigation.
Everett was granted bail under strict conditions that include reporting twice weekly to Waverley Police Station in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, being allowed to return to his home only to collect belongings while escorted by police, and a prohibition on contacting the alleged victim or any witnesses. He has denied any wrongdoing and told the Daily Mail, “My solicitor has advised me not to speak, but I am pleading not guilty.”
Everett rose to public prominence as the host of Channel 10’s daytime cooking show Ready Steady Cook, a role he held from 2006 until he was sacked by phone in 2011. In 2022 he told media he was selling possessions after financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police have not released further details of the alleged incident, and no finding has been made; the Daily Mail story noting the teenager and his father spoke to the outlet is the source of the public comments. Prosecutors will present evidence at the scheduled court hearing, and the matter remains before the courts.
The reporting of the allegation follows standard legal caution: the charge is an allegation and will be tested in court. The case is due back before a magistrate for a full local court hearing in June next year.