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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Dominion Post
July 23, 2002

Extradition move on former priest
by Grant Fleming

Police will try to extradite former Marist priest Alan Woodcock over alleged sex offences. Woodcock, 54, allegedly abused nine boys in the Wellington region between 1982 and 1987. Most were students at St Patrick's College Silverstream, where Woodcock taught for a year in 1982.

Upper Hutt CIB head Detective Sergeant Murray Porter said yesterday that after a fresh investigation into the historic allegations, police were now seeking Woodcock with a view to extradition.

He would not comment on Woodcock's possible location, but said that local police, through Interpol, were working closely with overseas law enforcement agencies to locate him. It is understood that until recently Woodcock lived in London.

Society of Mary spokesman Father Tim Duckworth said yesterday that if required the order would encourage members to help police prosecute Woodcock.

Woodcock, ordained in 1972, was convicted of a sex offence against another man in Christchurch in 1979. Despite the conviction, the order appointed him to St Patrick's in 1982.

He was removed at the end of the year, but returned to Wellington in 1984, only to be moved on again when fresh abuse allegations surfaced.

He returned again in 1987, but after yet more abuse allegations he was banned from practising ministry.

Mr Porter said police initially received three complaints against Woodcock in 1994 and 1995. There had been six more complaints in the past three weeks after publicity.