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Dr John Edgar
John
holds a
PhD in history and a Diploma in Education. He was a teacher for 12 years, until
he left as a result of the false allegation. He subsequently worked as a Post
Doctoral History Researcher at Waikato
University, and has qualified with
LL.B. Honours degree at Auckland
University – being recognized by the
Auckland District Law Society for being the top law professionals
student in Auckland
at the time he qualified. Edgar now practices law.
Cartoon:
Tom Scott; Dec 6 2004
2004-1206 –
Child Forum Research Network - NZEI Still Letting Male Teachers Down
In April of 1998,
John Edgar, a primary school teacher accused of touching the genitals of
seven boys was acquitted by a Hamilton District Court judge. Edgar appeared
on national television and warned men that the risks of being a teacher were
too great, and he advised those already in teaching to get out.
2003-0120 – Southland
Times - Looking into a deviant's mind
Editorial - Dr John Edgar was emphatically acquitted of eight charges of
indecency against Hamilton
children, though only after a nightmare of recriminations and reproach. More than that, though, the
climate of suspicion is making it harder for men to enter teaching ranks or,
for that matter, to show such innocent displays of affection as gathering a
child into their lap.
2000-0715 – The Press - The
accused
by Diana Dekker - Police once felt confident to disbelieve
allegations, says Laybourn. Now there's such pressure
from organisations such as Rape Crisis, that even cases with no foundation,
like that of Edgar, go to court. "It blighted his life and the lives of
so many close to him." After his trial, Edgar
described his ordeal as "six months of hell".
2000-0202 - Waikato Times -
Ellis freed - mother appeals to parents
NZPA- Ellis' case and
conviction polarised opinion and raised questions
about the way young children were interviewed and the impartiality of the
trial jury. Waikato Criminal Bar Association head Roger Laybourn
today said most people in the legal profession believed the case was dubious.
He believed there were similarities between Ellis' case and that of former Hamilton schoolteacher
John Edgar, acquitted in April 1998 on eight counts of indecency.
1999-0824 - Waikato Times - Men
wary of the chalkface
by Scott Inglis - Women outnumber men by
almost four to one among primary teaching staff in New Zealand -- and educators are
worried about the imbalance. Former Hamilton
primary teacher John Edgar, cleared in April last year of alleged indecencies
on seven pupils, says any young man considering the profession should think
again. Dr Edgar, now studying law at Auckland University,
was accused of indecently touching boys at Hukanui Primary but found not
guilty following a trial. The accusations cost him his house, job and
savings.
1999-0801 – Sunday Star
Times - Sex slurs forcing men out of teaching
by Mark Henderson - Six months and a jury trial later, Edgar was
acquitted. But his 12-year teaching career was finished. In an outburst
outside court, Edgar warned men not to take up teaching. He remains bitter
and disillusioned with a system he claims presumes guilt. "It's terribly
easy today for a male to be accused of sexual abuse. Children can make a
complaint to deflect attention from their wrongdoing or to get back at you. Teachers
live in fear, wondering when it is going to happen to them."
1999-0111 - Waikato Times -
Edgar starts his new life with a book
Hamilton's
John Edgar will record the life of prominent environmentalist and former Auckland mayor Sir
Dove-Meyer Robinson in a new book. Dr Edgar, a former teacher at Hukanui Primary School who last year was
cleared of eight indecency charges against students, has spent much of the
past nine months recovering from the trauma of the trial and the resulting
publicity. He says it cost him his home and job.
1999-0111 - Herald - Extrovert
plans Robbie profile
by Philippa Stevenson - Dr John Edgar, the
Hamilton primary school teacher last year cleared of eight indecency charges
against pupils, plans to reveal Auckland's late mayor, universally known as
Robbie, in a new biography as a pioneering environmentalist.
1998-1226 - Waikato
Times - The Headliners 1998
by Susan Pepperell - The Times today names its Top 10 Waikato
newsmakers of the year. In our annual feature, Susan Pepperell recaps the
tragedies and triumphs of the people who made the headlines. - John Edgar
1998-0623 - Waikato
Times - Former school teacher backs support plan
The former Hamilton primary school teacher cleared of indecency
charges against pupils says a support group, formed after his high-profile
case went to court, will educate other male teachers about the dangers they
face. …….Dr Edgar said he would never teach children again.
1998-0600 - COSA - School
teacher acquitted
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.
1998-0600 - COSA -
Falsely accused teachers
by Felicity Goodyear-Smith - While certainly some teachers do sexually
molest children, it is all too easy for pupils to make wrongful allegations
and be uncritically believed. Pointing the finger at a teacher gives students
incredible power if they are angry with him (or her) and want revenge for
being disciplined or sighted in some way. The case of acquitted ex-teacher Dr
John Edgar, reported in our Courts section, demonstrates this well. Police
chose to believe the boys rather than Edgar and other witnesses including
fellow teachers
1998-0529 - Waikato Times -
Press Council rejects Edgar complaint
A complaint over the coverage by the Waikato Times of assault charges
against a Hamilton teacher has been rejected by the New Zealand Press
Council.
1998-0512 - Waikato Times
- Loss disturbing
by Tukoroirangi Morgan, MP - Many children
who attend Hukanui School in Hamilton
are Maori. It therefore disturbs me to think that it has lost a good loving
teacher like John Edgar. …….. If the case of Dr Edgar has taught us anything,
it has shown New Zealand
society needs to take a deep breath and stop this homophobic and abuse
hysteria.
1998-0511 - Waikato Times -
Loss a shame
by Fiona Coop -
It's just a shame our children are losing another excellent
teacher. I also believe all parents should teach their children the
difference between the truth and lies.
1998-0507 - Waikato
Times - Verdict paramount
by Leighton Collins - Margaret my wife pointed out that during John
Edgar's trial he was always referred to in the media as Mr John Timothy
Edgar, yet, as soon as he was found not guilty he was addressed by his
correct title: Dr Edgar
1998-0505 – Evening Post -
What becomes of those who bear false witness?
by Renton MacLachlan - I write in relation to the case of Dr John
Edgar, the former school teacher who was recently acquitted of charges of
indecent assault. If the charges were indeed false as the court has found,
what is going to happen to those who laid them? Surely to allow false charges
to go unpunished is to encourage false charges to be made?
1998-0505 – Evening
Post - Edgar case highlights teachers' vulnerability
Editorial - Dr Edgar's case does, however, highlight the issue
of male teachers' vulnerability to allegations of sexual misconduct. Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president Geoff Skudder says male teachers have to be careful that
anything they do is not misconstrued. Even something as simple as patting a
child on the back can be taken the wrong way. This is a sad indictment of a
society emasculated and inhibited by political correctness
1998-0504 – Timaru Herald - Schools need more men
Editorial - If anything, his case highlights political
correctness gone awry in a society where even a father feels apprehensive
about hugging his daughter in public, but Dr Edgar also had the added stigma
of being bisexual to overcome. Prejudiced parents should remember that sexual preferences outside the norm does not a paedophile
make.
1998-0504 – The Press - Teacher
may enter politics
The former Hamilton
teacher acquitted of indecency charges is considering going into politics.
1998-0503 – Sunday News -
Political stand
Former Hamilton
teacher John Edgar, acquitted of indecency charges against pupils on Tuesday,
may enter politics but is undecided on which party he will support
1998-0502 - Waikato Times - The
Trials of John Edgar
by Gordon Jon Thompson - He lost his job, his house, his savings and,
for a while, his good name. John Edgar talks to the Times' Gordon Jon
Thompson about six months in hell. -
1998-0502 - Waikato Times -
Edgar eyes political exposure in wake of acquittal
by Gordon Jon Thompson - They
say a week is a long time in politics but for John Edgar of Hamilton it was
even longer in the justice system. One day he might also find out how long a
week is in politics -- he wants to be an MP.
1998-0502 - Waikato Times -
Dr Edgar's case a salutary tale
Editorial - On his
acquittal, Dr Edgar was elated but bitter. His first pronouncement, minutes
after the verdicts were read out, was a warning to other male teachers or men
considering teaching as a career. He said the profession was now too risky
for males because it left them open to allegations
that could ruin their careers -- and lives. If a male teacher touched a child
in any way, it could be misconstrued or used by children as a way of seeking
revenge
1998-0502 – Evening Post -
Former teacher views politics
NZPA - The former Hamilton
teacher acquitted of indecency charges this week is considering going into
politics. "After this publicity it can't get much worse," he said
this week.
1998-0501 – The Dominion -
Male teachers need support
Editorial - Some
children realise how vulnerable a teacher can be to
their accusations, even when they are fabricated, and are calculating enough
to play on this. Some parents are predisposed to believe whatever a child
says, however bizarre. A law amendment in 1985 changed the rules in sex
trials to stop judges telling juries they should acquit when there is no
supporting evidence, which, due to the nature of such cases, may not be available.
It also seems that in the sensitised climate the
police have relaxed some of the rigour with which
they approach allegations of sex abuse. Rather than appear sceptical and unfeeling, the temptation must be to let a
prosecution go forward even where there are strong indications of innocence.
1998-0501 – Daily News -
Worrying privilege of sex charges without evidence
Editorial - The original Dr John Edgar was a rare thing among
the country's primary school teachers. Not only was he one of a dwindling
band of male teachers in an industry 80% dominated by women, but he had a PhD
in history and a colourful, easy-going personality that made learning fun for
his Hamilton primary school pupils -- at least most of them. More
importantly, he loved his job that had stretched into a 12-year career, the
last eight at Hukanui
School. He was not
afraid to give his hard-working pupils a congratulatory pat or hug. Then it
all turned to mud
1998-0430 - Waikato Times
- Sex accused must prove innocence: Law Society
by Jon - The Law Society says law changes mean
people accused of sex crimes now have to prove their innocence. Spokesman and
Wellington lawyer Bruce Davidson today said this went against a basic theory
of justice which said the defence did not have to prove anything while the
prosecution had to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt
1998-0430 – The Dominion
- More male teachers needed - NZEI
NZPA - More males
should be recruited into primary school teaching, despite warnings from a
former Hamilton teacher cleared of sex offences, the primary teachers' union
says. John Timothy Edgar, 38, warned men yesterday against entering the
profession, as most allegations of sexual misconduct "seem to focus on
men".
1998-0430 – The Dominion
- Ex-teacher issues warning after acquittal
NZPA - Former teacher
John Timothy Edgar raised his arms in jubilation as he was cleared on eight
counts of indecency yesterday. A loud cheer from about 15 of his supporters
greeted the verdicts, delivered at 12.40am after the Hamilton District Court
jury deliberated for more than 14 hours. Judge Lynton Laing
told Dr Edgar to stand down from the dock and leave the courtroom, and apologised to the jury for the reaction of the accused
and his supporters.
1998-0430 – Nelson Mail
- Perspective needed
Editorial - It is
entirely understandable that former primary teacher John Timothy Edgar has
warned other men about entering the profession. Dr Edgar, reputedly a
brilliant teacher, lost his career when allegations of sexual misconduct were
made against him by a group of pupils. This week he was cleared on eight
counts of indecency.
1998-0429 - Waikato Times -
Jury's verdict brilliant, say parents
Mr Collins described the verdict as brilliant but said the case should
never have got to court. Their daughter was taught by Dr Edgar in 1992 and
used to refer to him as "her Dr Edgar" because she liked him so
much. He was also popular with parents. Mrs Collins said it was such a waste
that Dr Edgar was no longer a teacher
1998-0429 - Waikato Times -
Jubilation as final verdict heard
Most sports teams would be happy to have the support acquitted teacher
John Edgar enjoyed during his trial. His supporters, including his sister,
brother and girlfriend, sat through more than six days of testimony and then
waited 14 hours for the jury to reach its verdicts.
1998-0429 - Waikato Times -
Cheers, tears at acquittal
by Gordon Jon Thompson - Outside the courthouse, Dr Edgar said he had
endured six months of hell for something he did not do. Flanked by his
lawyers Roger Laybourn and Mark Hammond, he said
the decision vindicated him and his supporters. While the jury's verdicts
were a victory for all male teachers, he warned men considering teaching as a
career not to choose it and those already in the profession to get out. He
also described the police investigation as "sloppy".
1998-0429 - Waikato
Times - Charges a warning for male teachers
by Keri Welham - The former Hamilton teacher
acquitted on indecency charges is warning men to avoid teaching because it
leaves them open to child sex allegations. John Edgar, 37, today said men
thinking of becoming teachers should think again because most allegations of
sexual misconduct "seem to focus on men".
1998-0429 – Evening Post -
Cleared teacher issues warning
NZPA - Dr Edgar, 37, told National Radio today that his teaching
career had been over from the time the allegations were made, and his photo and "an article
which seemed to suggest I was guilty" appeared in the local newspaper.
"There will probably always be the finger of suspicion. I certainly couldn't
teach and feel very comfortable," he said.
1998-0428 - Waikato Times -
Jury in Edgar case retires
Mr Laybourn
told the jury the boys' allegations had fundamental flaws. "How can you
trust and rely on a witness that tells such conflicting stories?" Mr Laybourn asked. "That
in itself should make you have serious doubts about
his allegations."
1998-0428 - Waikato Times
- Former teacher's fate now rests with jury
A Hamilton District
Court jury was today to decide if former teacher John Timothy Edgar is guilty
of indecencies against boys.
1998-0428 - The Press - Jury's
decision on accused today
NZPA - Hamilton
District Court jury will decide today if former teacher John Timothy Edgar is
guilty of indecencies against boys.
1998-0428 – The Dominion -
Verdict due in teacher case
NZPA - A Hamilton
District Court jury will decide today if former teacher John Timothy Edgar is
guilty of indecencies against boys.
1998-0427 - Waikato Times
- Indecency trial: Crown recalls two witnesses
The Crown will today
recall two witnesses to give more evidence in former Hamilton teacher John Timothy Edgar's
indecency trial. They testified in the Hamilton District Court last week but
will be recalled to give more evidence about what happened when Edgar was
suspended from teaching after a boy alleged he was indecently assaulted by
him last November.
1998-0427 - Waikato Times -
Court hears more praise for accused
A teacher, who worked
with Edgar for four years, today described him as a warm sincere man. Gay Arkley said Edgar was well liked by his students.
"The children flocked to John because he was so warm, so humorous and
just a fun person to be with."
1998-0425 - Waikato
Times - Colleagues speak highly of accused to jury
by Jon - 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.
1998-0424 - Waikato Times -
Witness never saw children carried
Mrs White today described Edgar as an
honest teacher who was regarded by fellow teachers as professional. A
"debacle", such as carrying children in the playground, would be
noticed by children and teachers. Mrs White said
children would also notice if messengers came in to the classroom during
class. The Crown alleges Edgar touched boys' genitals when they came into his
room to deliver messages.
1998-0424 - Waikato Times -
Teacher: boys made up claims together
by Gordon Jon
Thompson - -Former teacher John Timothy Edgar, accused of indecently
assaulting boys, said he believed two of the boys made up their allegations
together. He told the jury in his Hamilton District Court trial yesterday the
boys were best friends and in the same class at Hukanui Primary School.
They would have talked to another boy who had made similar allegations. "I'm
afraid a group of children like that do get together like that in a
school," Edgar said.
1998-0423 - Waikato Times -
Jury hearing indecency case to visit city school
by Gordon Jon
Thompson - 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 Hukanui Primary School
that had come up in evidence.
1998-0423 - Waikato Times -
Edgar takes stand to deny allegations of indecency
by Gordon Jon
Thompson - Former Hamilton teacher John Timothy Edgar looked the jury in the
eye and told them he did not do it. Edgar spent nearly four hours denying
every allegation of indecency made against him by the Crown in the Hamilton
District Court yesterday. ……For the first time since he was arrested last
November, he told his story. The court had heard testimony from seven boys,
via closed-circuit television, that Edgar had touched their genitals while he
was a teacher at Hukanui
Primary School. Edgar,
who sipped water throughout his testimony, said that while he used the term gay
to describe his sexual orientation, he was "presently seeing one of the
Hukanui mothers".
1998-0422 - Waikato Times
- Teacher offered to take lie test
Former Hamilton primary school teacher
John Timothy Edgar offered to take a lie-detector test when he was accused of
indecent assault. He made the offer to Detective Constable Neil Burgess just
before he was interviewed at Hukanui
Primary School on November
10 last year -- the day a boy alleged Edgar had touched his penis.
1998-0421 - Waikato Times - Woman
tells of saying sorry to accused teacher
A woman has told a
jury she had apologised to the Hamilton teacher now on trial for
committing an indecent act upon her son because she was made to feel her
allegations were wrong. The woman, whose name is suppressed to protect her
son's identity, gave evidence on the first day of John Timothy Edgar's
Hamilton District Court trial yesterday. She said she complained seven years
ago, soon after the alleged incident at Hukanui Primary School,
but nothing came of it. Edgar, 38, was eventually charged in relation to the
accusation last November after other boys made allegations. He is also
accused of indecently assaulting six other pupils. His lawyer said he would
take the stand to defend the charges.
1998-0421 - Waikato Times -
Boys allege ex-teacher indecently touched them
Two more boys today
told a jury how a former Hamilton
teacher allegedly indecently assaulted them by touching their genitals. The
boys, both 10, gave their evidence via closed circuit television as John
Timothy Edgar's Hamilton District Court trial moved into its second day. One
boy said Edgar caught him alone while changing after swimming, while the
other said Edgar would touch him while he was in a classroom with other
students and a student teacher.
1998-0421 – The Dominion -
Teacher accused `seven years ago'
NZPA - The first
prosecution witness, the principal, explained that a parent had complained
that Edgar had looked at her son's penis while he was getting changed after
falling over and getting dirty. The principal said he had spoken to Edgar
when the allegation was made in 1991. Edgar denied the allegation and said he
was only helping the boy change clothes.
1998-0421 – The Dominion - Mother
made to feel wrong about accused, court told
NZPA - A woman told a
Hamilton jury yesterday that seven years ago she had apologised
to a teacher now on trial for committing an indecent act on her son because
she was made to feel her allegations were wrong. The woman, whose name is suppressed
to protect the identity of her son, said she complained soon after the
alleged incident but nothing came of it.
1998-0420 - Waikato Times
- Teacher's trial for indecency begins today
by Jon - The trial of
a former primary school teacher accused of indecently assaulting seven pupils starts today in Hamilton District Court.
1998-0420 - Waikato Times -
Accusations of indecency go back to '91
Former Hamilton primary school teacher John Timothy Edgar was
first accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a pupil seven years ago. Edgar
denied the allegation and no further action was taken, the school's principal
told a Hamilton District Court jury today. Edgar was charged with indecent
assault relating to the incident in 1991 following a similar allegation last
November
1998-0420 – Evening Post - Teacher
goes on trial
NZPA - The trial of a
school teacher accused of indecently assaulting seven pupils started today in
Hamilton District Court. John Timothy Edgar, 37, was arrested and charged
last November.
1998-0226 - Waikato Times -
Evidence to be on closed circuit TV
Children will give
evidence via closed circuit television in the trial of a former Hamilton
primary school teacher accused of indecently assaulting some of his pupils
1997-1218 - Waikato Times
- Hamilton teacher denies sex abuse charges
Backed by a band of 12, mostly women, supporters at a depositions
hearing in Hamilton District Court, John Timothy Edgar, was asked if he
wanted to plead guilty to seven counts of indecent assault of boys under 12. Edgar
replied: "Definitely not."
1997-1202 - Waikato Times - Wrong
to publish
by Tania Collins (13) - I
believe that it is totally wrong of The Waikato Times to put a photograph of
Mr Edgar in the newspaper and for people to judge him when they haven't heard
his side of the story; haven't you ever heard of innocent until proven
guilty. I believe that he is innocent as I was in his class in the year of
1992.
1997-1127 - Waikato
Times - Teacher remanded
Hamilton District
Court Judge Merelina Burnett today remanded former
Hukanui Primary School teacher John Timothy Edgar, 37, on bail until December
18 for a depositions hearing
1997-1127 – The Press - Teacher
on sex-abuse counts quits
A Hamilton teacher
facing seven charges of sexually abusing boys has resigned from Hukanui
Primary School. He told the board of trustees his decision was in the best
interests of the school and its community. Edgar told the school his move was
not an admission of guilt, and he would deny the charges.
1997-1122 – Evening Post -
Teacher on sex charges
NZPA - A Hamilton
primary school said yesterday it was keeping parents informed after a judge
lifted a name suppression order on a teacher accused of indecently assaulting
seven boys aged under 12
1997-1121 - Waikato Times
- Name of teacher on sex charges revealed
by Keri Welham - 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 Hukanui Primary School.
He was suspended indefinitely after allegations he indecently assaulted an
11-year-old boy at the school on November 10
1997-1121 - Waikato Times
- Accused teacher, school named
by Gordon Jon
Thompson - 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 Hukanui
Primary School. He was
suspended indefinitely after allegations he had indecently assaulted an 11
year-old boy at the school on November 10
1997-1121 – The Press -
Suppression order lifted on teacher
NZPA - A Hamilton
District Court judge has lifted the name suppression order on a teacher
accused of indecently assaulting seven young boys. Judge Spear also allowed
the name of the Hamilton
school to be published.
1997-1121 – The Dominion -
Teacher on sex charges named
NZPA - Name
suppression on a teacher accused of indecently assaulting seven boys has been
lifted. Hamilton District Court Judge Robert Spear allowed publication of the
name of John Timothy Edgar, 37, a teacher at Hukanui Primary School.
Edgar's lawyer said Edgar would plead not guilty
1997-1120 - Waikato Times -
Police plead: name teacher on sex counts
by Gordon Jon
Thompson Police pleaded with a judge today to allow the media to name a
Hamilton teacher they say has sexually abused young boys. Lawyers acting for
police told Judge Merelina Burnett they wanted the
order suppressing his name and the school where he taught lifted to alert a
potential "vast pool" of victims.
1997-1113 – Evening Post - Pupil
alleges indecent assault
NZPA - A Hamilton
teacher has been charged with indecently assaulting a pupil at his school.
Detective Chief Inspector Rex Miller, of Hamilton CIB, said the victim of the
alleged assault on Monday afternoon was an 11-year-old boy
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