24 Feb 2021

Two more men charged over historical abuse at Dilworth School

9:44 pm on 24 February 2021

Two more men linked to Dilworth School have been charged with historical sexual offending against boys.

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Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Seven men had already been charged with more than 50 offences dating back to the 1980s.

Today charges were announced for a 70-year-old Palmerston North man and 71-year-old Levin man, both relating to indecency with boys.

Both men are on bail and will appear in the Auckland District Court next week.

The police have now spoken to over 100 former students who were victims of sexual abuse while at the school.

In relation to the men charged earlier, one - Ian Robert Wilson - has pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 to 16 and will be sentenced next month.

Five others have pleaded not guilty and will go to trial next year: Ross Douglas Browne, Rex McIntosh, Alister Grant Harlow and two others who have continued interim name suppression.

Another, Richard Charles Galloway, was charged with indecent assault against a boy under 16, and has since died. He denied the charge. The prosecution against him has been stayed.

Chairperson of Dilworth Trust Board Aaron Snodgrass said the charges related to historical incidents of alleged abuse of former students and that those charged did not continue to have any connections to Dilworth School.

"Dilworth School has been working actively with the police to support their investigation and has encouraged Old Boys who have been victims of abuse to lay a complaint with the police," he said in a statement.

"We have been determined to confront honestly and openly what has happened and make sure that we do everything in our power moving forward to create and maintain an environment where our young men are safe and where they flourish."

He said the board deeply regreted and apologised for abuse suffered while in the school's care.

"We have implemented a comprehensive programme of best practice initiatives and policies to proactively ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for our students.

"We are also providing support services for those Old Boys who want and need them and continue to engage with our Old Boys and school community about the support services available to them, including access to a confidential, free Listening Service.

"We encourage any Old Boy wanting to discuss their experiences with an independent clinical psychologist to contact [theassist@dobsupport.com Listening Service via email].

He said the Board was also supportive of any Old Boys who wanted to contact the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.