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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Dominion Post
November 13, 2002.

Ex-priest in sex case remanded
NZPA

A former New Zealand priest accused of child abuse was remanded in custody for a further two weeks when he appeared at a London court on Monday, police said.

Alan Woodcock would reappear before Bow St Magistrate's Court on November 25 for an extradition hearing, Detective Sergeant Murray Porter, of Upper Hutt, said yesterday.

Woodcock, 54, was arrested on August 7 as he returned to his home in London from Greece. Mr Porter asked British authorities to initiate court proceedings to have him extradited to face sexual abuse charges in New Zealand.

The court set the new date because information Mr Porter had prepared on Woodcock and sent to British police arrived late in London, he said.

"That information had to go through the courts here in New Zealand, and was sent over in a diplomatic bag last week . . . which was delayed arriving in London," he said.

Woodcock is accused of indecently assaulting teenage boys at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, Wellington and Palmerston North between 1982 and 1985 while working as a teacher.

"Woodcock's legal team will indicate to the court on November 25 their course of action in terms of an extradition hearing," Mr Porter said.

"Whether he'll contest extradition or consent to it is really up in the air at this stage."

There were several courses of action open to Woodcock, he said.

Woodcock would have 15 days to appeal against a warrant of extradition issued by the court.

If he did not appeal, Woodcock would have to leave Britain within 28 days of the extradition date.

However, if Woodcock pursued his appeal through the British courts, his extradition could be delayed up to two years, Mr Porter said.