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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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A Hamilton primary
school says it is doing all it can to keep parents informed after a judge
lifted name suppression of the school and one of its teachers accused of
indecently assaulting seven boys under 12. John Timothy Edgar, 37,
is a teacher at Edgar appeared in court
last Thursday and was granted interim name suppression. He was charged with
another six counts of indecent assault yesterday. Hamilton District Court
Judge Robert Spear yesterday lifted the suppression order on the name of the
teacher and the school. But he suppressed the reasons for doing so. One of the charges
dates back to 1991. Edgar has taught at the school for seven years. Board chairperson
Sharon McLean today said the school was "shocked and devastated" by
the allegations but had used a week of name suppression to inform parents and
prepare for publicity. A release to parents had been drafted in anticipation
of supression being lifted. Mrs McLean said some
staff and children had been counselled by Victim Support. She said people
were shocked by the allegations. Parent Pam Corbett
said: "It is disturbing but I haven't got any problems sending my child
to that school. I have complete confidence in the school and teachers." The school had made parents
responsible for explaining the issue to children. A newsletter today was
to be sent home to parents with children in a sealed envelope. It is the
third newsletter regarding the allegations. Judge Merelina Burnett had heard submissions yesterday morning
but Judge Spear took the file over and made his decision. Edgar's lawyer Mark
Hammond yesterday said Edgar firmly denied the allegations. Edgar was remanded on
bail without plea to reappear in court next Thursday. -------------------- CAPTION: TEACHER ACCUSED: John
Timothy Edgar faces seven charges of indecently assaulting seven boys since
1991. PICTURE: Kent Blechynden |
