Former teacher accused of further 90 sex abuse charges

A former teacher accused of historical sex abuse charges in Scotland has been arrested in South Africa on a further 90 charges.

Iain Wares, 86, has been accused of abuse by scores of former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 70s. They include BBC presenter Nicky Campbell.

Mr Wares now lives in Cape Town, where the High Court ruled in August last year that he could be extradited on three charges to face trial in Scotland.

But the extradition was delayed as UK authorities looked to submit further charges against him.

The new charges have been lodged by 65 people who were allegedly sexually and physically abused by Mr Wares in Scotland.

Victims have accused Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College of failing to alert the authorities of complaints against Mr Wares, enabling him to leave for South Africa in 1979, where he taught until his retirement in 2006.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Scotland previously said he faces 74 charges.

Prosecutors first requested his extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest in May 2019 on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.

There is also a local trial under way in Cape Town against Mr Wares, following allegations by a former student in South Africa.

Mr Wares was granted bail and a hearing is due to start on 20 November.

The current rector of Edinburgh Academy, Barry Welsh, said: “The arrest of Iain Wares is a matter for the legal authorities in South Africa and Scotland.

“Our commitment to facing up to the wrongs of the past is unwavering, and will remain so irrespective of this legal process. Our door is always open to any of our former pupils who wish to discuss their experiences.”

Source:BBC News