Latest news with #historicaloffences
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Ex-teacher found guilty of historical abuse of boys at Edinburgh Academy
A former teacher has been found guilty of 26 historical offences of sexual and physical assault against boys at one of Scotland's best-known private schools. A judge sitting at Edinburgh sheriff court ruled on Monday that John Young, known widely as Jake Young, deliberately and gratuitously assaulted boys as young as 10 while he was head of physical education at Edinburgh Academy. Sheriff Iain Nicol said in one case Young, now 91 and a former international rugby referee, carried out a 'harrowing' assault on a boy whom he repeatedly kicked and punched while the child was recovering from a spinal injury. The boy, who was 12 and walked with a visible limp because of the injury, pleaded with Young during a PE class that he was unable to pick up some weights as ordered, prompting Young to lash out at his head and kick him, causing 'substantial pain'. Young's assaults, which took place between 1966 and 1993, included twisting and squeezing boys' genitals, striking them with a cricket bat, a wooden implement or a clipboard, and looking at their genitalia under their shorts. Despite the guilty verdicts, Young will not face punishment because he was found too ill and infirm to stand trial. He is close to death, the sheriff said, so could not appear in court or mount a defence. Scotland's court service agreed instead to hold an examination of the facts hearing, a rare process in criminal cases where the allegations are made without a jury present for the judge to weigh up. The courts used the same process last year to find another former Edinburgh Academy master, John Brownlee, guilty of more than 30 assaults against boys at the school without a formal trial. The cases have come to light during a public inquiry into systematic abuse in Scottish schools and care homes, leading to a flood of compensation cases. Brownlee's 'sadistic' violence, often against pre-pubescent boys he was supposed to care for in a school boarding house, took place during the same decades as Young's assaults. Four of the 24 complainants in the Young case, who are all now adult men, were also among Brownlee's victims. Nicol cleared Young of 28 charges, mainly breaches of the peace and indecent assaults where the former master was accused in court of 'perving' on young boys by routinely watching them showering. The sheriff ruled there was strong evidence Young often did so to ensure the boys were showering and changing quickly to ensure they reached their next classes on time. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion A spokesperson for Young's victims said the verdict would provide some comfort. Many were not believed at the time. The decision to hear the case had confirmed 'the significant passage of time is no barrier in holding those guilty to account', they said. The case had shown that Young 'committed acts of cruelty and to have physically and mentally terrified many boys that he was entrusted to look after. 'The fact that numerous men came forward, many decades later, shows the severity and lifelong impact that childhood abuse has had throughout their lives, with many waiting over 50 years for justice to be served.'
BreakingNews.ie
29-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Former Irish sports figure accused of historical sexual abuse offences sent forward for trial
A former Irish sports figure, accused of historical sex abuse offences, was on Tuesday served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court. The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, is in his 70s and faces 79 allegations relating to the sexual abuse of four girls in Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. Advertisement Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court granted a return for trial order at the request of State solicitor Rory Staines. He told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to being sent forward on indictment on the 79 charges in the book of evidence served by Garda Sergeant Amy Kelly. They include 78 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape. The offences allegedly occurred at various locations in Co Dublin, including Dún Laoghaire, Killiney, and Blackrock, between 1971 and 1981. Advertisement At the time, the girls were minors aged between eight and 15. The man was extradited from the US last week. Judge Finan notified the man that he must inform the prosecution within 14 days if he intends to use an alibi in his trial. She also ordered investigating gardaí to provide copies of interview videos to the defence and told the accused that his lawyer would explain it to him later. Advertisement The man, who has not yet entered a plea, was remanded in continuing custody pending trial with no bail application made. Legal aid has been granted, with the defence stating that he is not working and has no assets. The judge noted that there was no Garda objection, and she agreed to a request by his solicitor, Tracy Horan, that it would include senior and junior counsel representation. The date for his next hearing before the Central Criminal Court has yet to be set but will be held the next legal term, commencing in October. Advertisement Dressed in a grey tracksuit and black runners, the man sat silently in a wheelchair and spoke only to consult with his solicitor, who asked that he get dental attention in custody, because he still had no dentures and "is not able to eat solid foods". Following extradition proceedings at the request of the Irish authorities, he was arrested at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport on the morning of July 22nd. Gardaí charged him at the instruction of the DPP. He faces 41 counts of indecent assault and one for attempted rape of one of the complainants, 34 counts of indecent assault of another female, two counts of indecent assault of another complainant, and one charge of indecent assault of the fourth. Advertisement The offences are contrary to Common Law. At his first hearing, a few hours after his arrest, the defence solicitor had informed the judge that her client required medical assistance in custody because he had no dentures or hearing aid, as they had not been brought over from the United States. The judge had noted this information and agreed to add that he should urgently get dentures and a hearing aid in custody. When the proceedings resumed yesterday/today, she heard that the man still had no dentures and recommended that he get the appropriate treatment.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Daily Mail
New development in Alan Jones sex abuse case as lawyer reveals talkback radio host has 'grave concerns' about police act during his arrest
Alan Jones has 'grave concerns' about the legality of a police raid when the ex-talkback radio star was arrested for multiple counts of historical sexual abuse, his lawyer says. The one-time shock jock and king of breakfast radio is accused of sexually touching 11 alleged victims, the youngest of whom was aged 17 at the time of the alleged act of indecency. The 84-year-old has indicated he will plead not guilty to 35 historical offences, which police claim spanned nearly two decades, during a time when he dominated the Sydney airwaves. Jones' lawyer Bryan Wrench says there are 'grave concerns' about the search conducted during the November arrest. 'We wrote to police regarding our concerns about the search,' he told Sydney's Central Local Court on Tuesday. '(Including) the legality, journalistic privilege and issues regarding legal privilege.' Jones didn't attend court on Tuesday and wasn't required to appear. NSW Police have since engaged legal representation and Mr Wrench hoped the issues would be resolved 'as expeditiously as possible'. Mr Wrench and his client were also very concerned to receive a brief of evidence on Tuesday morning, containing witness statements apparently held by police since December, the court was told. The statements had not been previously flagged or disclosed, but police allegedly responded that they did not have a duty of disclosure, Mr Wrench added. Police had assured Jones' lawyers they were working tirelessly on the case. 'They seem to be a bit puffed out,' Mr Wrench said. 'Hopefully they will produce everything, not just what they think they need to prove this case against my client.' A download of data on Jones' phone has been served on his lawyers and will form part of the case against him, the court was told. Jones did not appear in court on Tuesday and the matter was adjourned until September 18. He is accused of fondling one of his alleged victims and kissing them on the lips, according to one of the claims made in a raft of allegations. He is also accused of touching another on the bottom. Jones' arrest in November came after an eight-month police investigation into a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019. The veteran broadcaster vowed to fight the charges after his first court appearance in December. 'These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth,' Jones told reporters. 'I have never indecently assaulted these people.' Jones has been charged with 33 counts of sexual touching without consent and indecent assault, including 11 aggravated charges because the alleged victim was under his authority. The former high school teacher is also facing two charges of common assault. The charges followed a hugely influential broadcasting career launched in 1985. Jones became a feared interviewer who excelled at questioning leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken views. He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut until 2020. Alongside failed tilts at politics, he also coached the Australian national men's rugby union team through some historical achievements between 1984 and 1988.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Former N.S. teacher charged with historical sexual offences
An RCMP vehicle is seen in this file photo. A former Nova Scotia teacher has been charged with historical sexual offences. In November 2024, the RCMP received a report of historical sexual assault involving a youth victim and a man who was teaching at King's-Edgehill School in Windsor, N.S., at the time of the alleged offences. 'Investigators learned that the offences occurred on and off school property and between the years 2000 and 2002,' reads a news release from the Nova Scotia RCMP. In January, 48-year-old Roderick Alexander MacDonald, who now lives in British Columbia, was served a summons to attend court in Nova Scotia. MacDonald has been charged with: sexual exploitation invitation to sexual touching sexual assault He is scheduled to return to Windsor provincial court on Monday. 'There is no information to suggest there are additional victims and others have not come forward, however, the Nova Scotia RCMP encourages anyone who may be a survivor of sexual assault to contact their local RCMP detachment or police of jurisdiction,' reads the release. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- RNZ News
Former members of secretive sect Two by Twos claim leaders receive gifts of cash
Recent leavers from the Two by Twos say workers in the sect receive cash, given discreetly in envelopes during meetings. File photo. Photo: 123RF Former members of a secretive sect known as the Two by Twos have raised concerns about the religious group's lack of accountability and transparency with money, claiming the leaders receive gifts of cash and do not pay tax. The FBI is investigating the sect for historical child sexual abuse, and two Northland men have already appeared in court over historic sex offences - one was imprisoned last year. A man who was a minister - called a worker within the underground church that meets in homes - said he relied on money from members to pay expenses, but the senior workers held the purse-strings. He said he gave up a career in accounting, sold his two cars then emptied and closed his bank account, giving some money to his family and donating the rest to the church. It was three decades ago when he travelled from the North Island with just a suitcase, when he was in his early 20s. "When I got off the plane to go down to Christchurch I can honestly say I had no money, my mum gave me $20 as I got on the plane and that was the only cash that I had, that was it." The religious group is not registered as a charity or company, has no official name or church buildings. Registered charities receive tax benefits and also have obligations to file annual reports and comply with charities law. A hymn book used by members of the Two by Twos. Photo: Supplied The Two by Twos derives its name from the workers who travel in pairs and stay in members' homes, relying on their hospitality for meals and sometimes a car. Recent leavers said the workers receive cash, given discreetly in envelopes during meetings. The former minister said he had no bank account and often had to ask his senior worker colleague for spending money, because they received the gifts. "It's very awkward, you know it's like well I need some new underpants, you know," he said. "It's also this humiliation tactic because he made me open up my wallet to show him that I only had $50 and he said oh that'll be enough till I get back." He said he was devastated when he was excommunicated abruptly at his wedding four years later, because workers could not be married at the time. He had nothing to his name. The former worker now sees the group as a cult , for its high control and belief that belonging to the group is members' ticket to heaven. He believed the money handling was dishonest. "It's a huge tax evasion scheme on the part of the workers, that's really where it's at. They leverage a law that says that the workers don't have to file tax returns but there's an assumption by those law-makers they're not receiving that much. The truth is, they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars each year." A recent leaver, whom RNZ has agreed not to identify, said workers are still given cash in envelopes but now have access to bank accounts. They said they know of members who have bequeathed large portions of their farms or city properties to the group and believe it has millions of dollars. "There's just questions about the legitimacy of how things are being handled. Are people actually being forced to do some pretty dodgy legal stuff just because the church refuses to have a bank account in its own name?" The leaver said they are taught to give to the workers who have given everything up to preach God's word but not given any information about how the money is spent and that secrecy is concerning. "We didn't know the name of the account, we didn't know how much money was in there, we didn't know what the workers did with the surplus cash at the end of the year. So many things we didn't know and we were told not to question because we were to blindly trust that they would be wise with it." They said wealthy families received special treatment. "They have lots of extra privileges, visiting workers coming to stay from overseas that's a real privilege, they're included in conversation more or they might be tapped on for advice - all those things that give prestige in the system." The sect's overseer Wayne Dean declined to answer RNZ's questions about its money-handling and tax. In April last year, he told RNZ the group is not registered as a charity or company and said it is "a group of people who support a volunteer, unpaid ministry, according the scriptural teaching". At the time, Dean said the workers leave their employment, take no wage, own no property and live by faith. He said they are supported by those who follow the teachings of Jesus. Looking ahead, the former worker wants the group to change how it handles money. "The overseers, senior workers need to be filing tax returns and declaring how much they receive from the congregation, even though it's not a church body, but also what they spent it on, that it was legitimate and could be for the purposes that it was given." Inland Revenue does not say if it is investigating an individual's tax status but that a gift may be assessed as income if it's given in connection with a voluntary activity that is not a reimbursement of expenses. Charities Services only have the mandate to regulate charities that are registered. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
