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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Dominion Post
July 24, 2002

Extradition order might be delayed
by Grant Fleming

Police attempts to extradite former Marist priest Alan Woodcock over alleged sex offences could be delayed for years if Woodcock does not come willingly, according to a lawyer experienced in extradition proceedings.

Upper Hutt police said this week they would try to extradite Woodcock, 54, who is understood to be living in Britain.

Woodcock 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.

But Auckland lawyer Jim Boyack said yesterday that even if British police located Woodcock soon it did not necessarily mean a speedy extradition. Extradition was subject to a court hearing, at which police would have to prove they had a strong case against Woodcock.

"There are safeguards to prevent people being removed from where they are living just because a crime is alleged," Mr Boyack said. Presuming Woodcock was in Britain, a hearing would be held in the British equivalent of New Zealand's District Court. However if police won the hearing Woodcock would still have the right of appeal first in the High Court, then the Appeal Court, and then finally in the House of Lords.

Mr Boyack said such a series of appeals could delay an extradition for up to two years.

Lower Hutt counsellor Brent Cherry, who counsels two alleged victims of Woodcock, said he hoped Woodcock would come willingly. The Society of Mary, the Catholic Order to which Woodcock belonged, has welcomed moves to extradite him.

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 more abuse allegations he was banned from practising ministry. He left the order in 1991.

Upper Hutt police initially received three complaints against Woodcock in 1994 and 1995. They have received six more in the past three weeks.