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Allegations
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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
on Thursday last week 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 letter to parents had
been drafted in anticipation of suppression being lifted. The newsletter was to
be sent home today with children in a sealed envelope. It confirms the
allegations involve Edgar and the school. It is the third newsletter
regarding the allegations. Mrs McLean said some
staff and children had been counselled by Victim Support. She said people
were shocked by the allegations. Parents spoken to today
by the Waikato Times were satisfied with the way the school had handled the
allegations. Carole Carter's son was
in Edgar's class this year. She said the school had been open about the issue
and had answered any questions. The school had also
offered to meet parents. Ken Cunningham has one
child still at the school while three other children have gone through
Hukanui school. He said the school had
kept parents informed as much as they could. He had known Edgar for
about seven years. He said Edgar was respected by parents and had special
talents as a teacher. Mr Cunnigham
was shocked when he heard the allegations. Another 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. Judge Merelina Burnett had heard submissions yesterday morning
but Judge Spear took the file over to allow Judge Burnett to work on another
case. Judge Spear re-heard submissions and made the final decision. Edgar's lawyer Mark
Hammond yesterday said Edgar firmly denied the allegations. Mr Hammond said Edgar
would plead not guilty when he next appeared next Thursday. He is currently
on bail without plea. -------------------- CAPTION: TEACHER ACCUSED: |
