|
COSA -
Casualties of Sexual Allegations
Newsletter, June 1998
Courts - New Zealand
School teacher acquitted
Seven pupils at Hukanui Primary School in Hamilton
accused 38 year old teacher Dr John Edgar of touching, rubbing or staring at
their penises between 1991 and 1997. The oldest complainant is now aged 15.
Edgar describes the allegations as ‘absolutely weird’. Some of them were
supposed to have occurred in the playground in front of other students and
teachers. Edgar believes the accusations were made up by one group of
children at the school. "They were just the result of a group of
children who knew each other ... who made up stupid stories ... it just
developed some sort of a nightmarish life of itself," he said.
Edgar, who has a doctorate in history, described the police investigation as
"sloppy". Edgar said that there were a number of teachers at the
school who would have backed him up, but the police did not interview them.
They did interview a student teacher and a teacher at the school, who were
able to show the allegations were false, but the police did not use their
evidence.
During the trial, the school principal gave evidence against him, while
several parents and teachers appeared in his defence.
A Hamilton District Court jury found him not guilty of all 8 charges, to the
elation of Edgar and his supporters.
The case had been investigated by Detective Constable Neil Burgess and
Detective Chief Inspector Rex Miller defended police handling of the
investigation. Mr Miller said that the investigation had been conducted thoroughly,
and the Crown and Police were happy with the evidence from the children.
"Had we doubted them, we would not have taken them to court as
witnesses," he said. As usual, no apology is forthcoming from the police
who, from their comments, still appear to believe the child complainants and
assume Edgar is guilty despite his acquittal
Edgar resigned from teaching on his arrest in November 1997. His career
destroyed, he feels very bitter and is advising men to avoid teaching as too
dangerous a career in the current climate.
(Waikato Times 29 Apr 1998 Not
Guilty Cheers, tears at acquittal, by Gordon Jon Thompson
|
