Latest news with #LaurenTesolin-Mastrosa
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
Update after erotic book author charged
A 10-page synopsis of erotic fictional novel Daddy's Little Toy is being examined by police after a Sydney author was charged with child abuse material offences following the book's publication. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, 33, who publishes under the pen name 'Tori Woods', was charged over the content in the novel that allegedly depicts a relationship between a man and his friend's 18-year-old daughter. The book allegedly makes references to a character fantasising about the woman since she was three years old. The Christian marketing executive has been charged with three offences – possess child abuse material, disseminate child abuse material and produce child abuse material. Author Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa has pleaded not guilty. Credit: News Corp Australia She has pleaded not guilty and was not required to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Thursday when her matter was briefly mentioned. The prosecution told magistrate Bree Chisholm that they required a six-week adjournment in order for police to examine a '10-page synopsis' of the book. 'It contains detailed descriptions of what was contained in the book,' the prosecution said. 'Further mention is required in order to consider the appropriateness of the matter including the charges. 'I can indicate the book will be required to be accessed in order for that to occur.' Meanwhile, the author's solicitor Mickaela Mate requested a bail variation for Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa to reduce her police reporting from one day a week to three given she has 'strong ties to the community'. Solicitor Mickaela Mate told reporters that her client is doing 'great'. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Chisholm replied that these were 'serious charges'; however, said she would grant the bail variation. When asked outside court how her client was doing, Ms Mate replied: 'She's great.' In April, the author lost a bid to suppress any publication of her name, book title and other details about the case. Ms Mate argued in court that threats had been made online against Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa and her family. The book created an online furore earlier in the year after excerpts of prerelease copies were published online. The author was formally charged in March, and police executed a search warrant at her western Sydney home. She continues to deny the allegations, earlier stating in a post to social media that the charges were a 'huge misunderstanding'. 'DLT is definitely not promoting or inciting anything ever to do with (child sexual abuse) or pedophilia,' she wrote. 'What is being said is grossly disturbing and breaks my heart as well as makes me sick.' She will next appear in court on July 17.
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Sydney author Tori Woods charged over erotic novel accused of containing child abuse content
A Sydney-based author has been charged with producing child abuse material after public backlash over her erotic novel Daddy's Little Toy, which has been accused of depicting paedophilic themes. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, known by the pen name 'Tori Woods,' was arrested at her home in Quakers Hill, western Sydney, on Friday. New South Wales police began investigating the book earlier this month following reports it contained material referencing child sexual abuse. The novel is described as focusing on a 'barely legal' 18-year-old woman and her father's friend. However, readers flagged disturbing references in which the older character is said to have desired the teen since she was three years old. The book's cover, which spells out the title in children's toy blocks, also attracted criticism for its suggestive imagery. Tesolin-Mastrosa, 33, was charged with possessing, disseminating, and producing child abuse material. Police said several hard copies of the book were seized for forensic examination. She was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Blacktown Local Court on 31 March. In a now-deleted social media post, Tesolin-Mastrosa called the situation a 'big misunderstanding,' stating the book was fictional and not intended to promote or glorify child abuse. She acknowledged that some content may have been seen as inappropriate and expressed regret over the fallout. She also defended collaborators such as her editor and designers, saying they were unaware of the book's full context. Georgia Stove, who designed the cover, has since cut ties with the author, stating she had only read the blurb and is now facing harassment over her involvement. Tesolin-Mastrosa was also suspended from her role as a marketing executive at the Christian organisation BaptistCare. A spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that the suspension and said the organisation is conducting an internal investigation, adding that it takes ethical concerns seriously.
The Independent
25-03-2025
- The Independent
Sydney erotic novel author charged after outrage over ‘child abuse material' in book
A woman in Australia has been charged over possession of child abuse material following outrage over her novel that outlines the relationship of an 18-year-old girl with her father's friend. Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, an author in Sydney who writes erotic fiction under the pen name 'Tori Woods', caused a stir on social media following the release of her new novel titled 'Daddy's Little Toy'. The book has been accused of containing graphic fictional child abuse material. New South Wales police said they began investigations into the book in March 'following reports of a fiction novel containing child abuse material'. On Friday at about 12.30pm local time, detectives attended a home in Quakers Hill in the suburbs of western Sydney where they arrested the 33-year-old woman. The police also executed a search warrant at the home and confiscated several hard copies of the book for forensic examination. "The woman was charged with [possessing] child abuse material, [disseminating] child abuse material and [producing] child abuse material,' the police said. She was granted a conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on Monday, 31 March, the police added. The author of the book took to social media to say that there has been a 'big misunderstanding'. She said the book 'is definitely not promoting or inciting anything ever to do with (child sexual abuse) or pedophilia'. 'What is being said is grossly disturbing and breaks my heart as well as makes me sick.' She said the book is a fictional read and she understands why some of the parts of the book is being frowned upon. She said that those associated with the book, such as the cover designer, graphic designer, and editor are being wrongly attacked as they were not aware of the contents. 'These ladies were under no impression that I was Lauren Ashley writing as Tori Woods. I reached out to these ladies to work with them as Tori and only as Tori,' she added. Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa has since taken down social media accounts. The book has also been pulled down from Amazon and GoodReads. The designer of the cover, Georgia Stove, also distanced herself from the author, saying that she is receiving death threats. 'I have cut ties with Tori Woods, effective immediately,' she said. 'All I had known about the book was the blurb which read 'barely legal' and in my mind I truly thought that was okay,' she said. 'I am here to answer any questions you may have. Just please stop with the threats over something I had no say in.' 'Daddy's little toy by tori woods is absolutely disgusting,' user Kyley Glenn on X said sharing the cover of the book. 'Brace yourselves! The plot = girl 18 & older man, attracted to her since she was 3. Police charge Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, pen name Tori Woods, with 3 child abuse material offences in relation to her book- previously an employee of News Corp Australia,' another user said. Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa worked as a marketing executive at the Christian organisation BaptistCare, but was allegedly removed from the role on 20 March. A BaptistCare spokesperson told B&T: 'However, we can confirm that we received complaints regarding an unnamed employee late last week. As a result of these complaints, the employee was stood down effective 20 March while we undertake an internal investigation. BaptistCare takes matters of ethical conduct seriously. Our focus remains on upholding the values and integrity of our organisation.'
