Alister Grant Harlow will be sentenced at Auckland District Court in April. Photo / Alex Burton
Alister Grant Harlow will be sentenced at Auckland District Court in April. Photo / Alex Burton
An assistant house master at Dilworth School was caught in bed spooning a young boy in 1994 and was told to leave the dormitory, court documents reveal.
It's one incident that led to a string of historical child sexual abuse charges that Alister Grant Harlow has pleaded guilty to.
He is one of 11 men who have been charged under the police operation investigating historical sex abuse at the Auckland school, in which more than 150 former students have come forward.
On one weekend night in 1994 Harlow got into bed with a young student who had only been at the school for a couple of months, the summary of facts said.
Dilworth School is in Epsom, Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell
He had been crying in the dormitory because he was homesick, and he was a student who remained on campus during the weekends.
Harlow got under the blankets and into a spooning position with the boy, court documents said.
"He had no reason to be at the school or in the boys' dormitory at that time.
"The matron came to check on the boys and discovered Mr Harlow in bed with [the victim].
"The matron confronted Mr Harlow and asked him to leave. Mr Harlow quickly left."
Police said the matter came to police attention as part of Operation Beverly.
Another boy who was abused by Harlow during his time at Dilworth School went on to commit a crime.
When he turned himself into police Harlow took on the role of his "support person" for the investigation that followed, court documents said.
Harlow's "unwanted arrival" had a "substantial impact" on the teenager's mental state.
There were a number of other occasions where Harlow would arrange for students to carry out work on a family property in Whangarei Heads.
He and the boys would stay in tents or bivouacs on the property overnight, and Harlow would abuse them while they slept next to each other, the court files said.
According to Dilworth's staff records, Harlow was an assistant housemaster of Erin house in 1985 and 1986 before becoming the associate housemaster between 1987 and 1992. He was then the assistant housemaster of the junior campus' Gibson House in 1993 and 1994.
"Today's guilty plea by Alistair Harlow in relation to three charges relating to historical sexual offending at Dilworth School is a further step towards justice for our Old Boy survivors," said Dilworth Trust Board Chair Aaron Snodgrass.
"On behalf of our school, we are sorry for the abuse suffered by our Old Boys and commend the bravery of those who have come forward, resulting in today's conviction.
"Any Old Boy who needs assistance can contact our free, confidential and independent Listening Service for access to professional counselling and psychological support.
"Please email assist@dobsupport.com and an experienced psychologist will contact you.
"Our focus remains on supporting our school community and we are continuing to develop a Redress Programme for Old Boy survivors of sexual abuse, as well as commissioning an independent inquiry to better understand how that abuse occurred and the school's response to allegations at the time.
"Both initiatives will run concurrently, with findings from the inquiry informing the Redress Programme."
Although 11 former staff members - including tutors, house and scoutmasters and a priest - have been charged as part of the inquiry, the Herald revealed in December that the real number of people who allegedly abused students is far higher, and many were pupils themselves.
Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber said there have been 14 allegations of "student on student" offending reported as part of the investigation, which is known as Operation Beverly.
Where to get help:
• If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. • If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on: 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am - 8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station • If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.
