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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Former teacher John
Timothy Edgar, accused of indecently assaulting
boys, today asked the jury hearing his case to go to the school where the
offences allegedly happened. Judge Lynton Laing agreed, saying it was likely to help if jurors saw
parts of Two taxi vans were to
take the nine women and three men jurors to the school this afternoon. The trial coincides
with school holidays. Edgar was also allowed
to return to the school. He denies seven counts
of indecent assault and one of committing an indecent act on seven boys at
the school. A map of Hukanui school
had been used by Crown prosecutor David Wilson, QC, at the trial's start. During cross-examination
today, Edgar suggested the jury go to the school to see how it was laid out. But the judge warned
strict rules would apply. "Anybody who talks
to the jury is likely to be incarcerated immediately for contempt of
court," the judge said. Judge Laing also today asked Edgar several questions. The judge adjourned the
trial for 15 minutes so defence counsel Roger Laybourn
could advise Edgar that those questions were to make sure his testimony was
clear. Mr Wilson asked Edgar
why three boys would have made similar allegations that Edgar said were
untrue. Edgar replied:
"Well I think these sorts of stories can have similarities." He also said he would
pat boys on the shoulder who had just delivered messages to his class, but
had never touched their genitals. Other boys have alleged
Edgar touched their genitals in front of other students. The court had heard
testimony from the seven boys, via closed-circuit television, that Edgar had
touched their genitals. |
