Former pupils' 'frustration' as abuse teacher fails to appear in court
Iain Wares again failed to attend for his sentencing hearing in Cape Town, delaying the decision on his extradition hearing
Survivors who accuse a retired teacher of abusing dozens of boys at two Scottish private schools are “extremely disappointed” by fresh delays in their fight for justice.
Former pupils of Iain Wares, who taught at Fette and Edinburgh Academy in the 1960s and 1970, said they are “frustrated” to learn the convicted child abuser has had his sentencing for a sex attack in South Africa postponed for a third time.
A warrant has now been issued for the arrest of Wares, which will see him detained and brought to court if he fails to appear again.
However, the court proceedings in South Africa must be fully resolved before Wares can be considered for extradition to Scotland.
Laura Connor, a senior partner with Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, represents many of the former pupils who accuse Wares of abuse.
“We are extremely disappointed to hear of yet another delay to the sentencing of Wares for the child abuse he committed in South Africa,” Ms Connor said.
“This is incredibly frustrating to our clients and we hope that this in no way affects the already protracted extradition process.
“Ian Wares has rightly been described as one of the country’s most prolific and odious paedophiles.
“It is imperative he is brought to Scotland as quickly as possible to stand trial for the crimes he is charged with.”
In March, a court found that the 86-year-old indecently assaulted a former pupil at Rondebosch Boys' Primary School in Cape Town in 1988.
A sentencing hearing was postponed after Wares' legal team submitted a sick note to Wynberg Magistrate's Court in the South African city which said he would not be able to appear for sentencing.
It is understood he claims to have shingles and to be suffering the side effects of medication for the viral illness.
Wares is also accused of abusing boys at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College in the 1960s and 1970s.
Prosecutors in Scotland have been requesting his extradition since 2018.
Wares’s lawyer told the court he was suffering from a medical condition and he was ordered to appear again on July 21
The sentencing was also postponed on May 13 and June 17.
Wares was first arrested in 2019 on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.
Since then, some 60 counts of sexual assault, 25 of assault and four of rape have been lodged in Scotland against the married father-of-one.
Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, 65, attended Edinburgh Academy in the 1970s and has been instrumental in spearheading calls for Wares to be brought to justice in Scotland.
Mr Campbell was not abused by Wares but has spoken of how he witnessed the sexual abuse of a close friend by the teacher.
An extradition hearing was due to take place on April 16.
It was cancelled when the state prosecutor became ill and a replacement could not be found.
At a previous court appearance three of Wares’s former pupils travelled from Scotland to face him.
In 1979, Wares, who is married with a daughter, left Scotland to settle in Cape Town where he taught maths and rugby at a boys’ school for 30 years.
He was found guilty of repeatedly abusing a 12-year-old pupil named in court as “Stephen”.
Wares denies all of the charges and has fought against being forcibly flown to the UK.
A spokeswoman for the Crown Office said it would be not be making any comment at this stage.
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