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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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John Timothy Edgar,
accused of indecently assaulting boys, has been described as a talented
teacher who cared for his students. As the first week of
his Hamilton District Court trial came to an end yesterday, defence witnesses
took the stand and described a dedicated professional, well liked by all at It was a different
picture to the one Crown Prosecutor David Wilson, QC, offered the jury at the
start of his trial. The Crown alleges Edgar
indecently assaulted six students and committed an indecent act upon another
while he was a teacher at the school. The boys said he
touched and looked at their genitals. They testified, via
closed circuit television, earlier in the week. Edgar took the stand to
deny the allegations and was followed by other witnesses who said they had
never seen anything to suggest Edgar had done anything inappropriate towards
the children he taught. Hukanui school teacher
Jenny Irwin's testimony was typical of all defence witnesses. She said students held
Edgar in high regard and described him as a man of high integrity and
professionalism. "He was extremely
trustworthy and the children appreciated his sense of humour," Mrs Irwin
said. Her son was in Edgar's
class in 1993. She said Edgar built up his self-esteem and her son still liked
him. "I can't speak
highly enough of John." She said most teachers would pat students on the
shoulder as a sign of encouragement. She also used to give a
child a cuddle if they were upset or hurt, though she stopped doing so after
Edgar was charged. She said Edgar was a
demonstrative teacher who liked to grab the children's attention. Other parents also
spoke glowingly of Edgar and of the positive effect he had on their children.
The trial, before Judge
Lynton Laing, is expected to run into early next
week. |
