One of Ian Wilson's victims Neil Harding chose to waive his right to automatic name suppression. Photo / NZ Herald
One of Ian Wilson's victims Neil Harding chose to waive his right to automatic name suppression. Photo / NZ Herald
A former Dilworth housemaster sentenced today for historical sexual offending has a previous conviction for the same thing - and was subject to another complaint in the 1990s but police refused to take the victim's statement.
Some of them were in court to hear him express remorse for the offending which they say "destroyed innocence" and resulted self harm, failed relationships, and years of counselling for some of the victims.
But, it is not the 69-year-old's first time in court for sexual abuse at Dilworth School.
The Herald can reveal Wilson was fined $3000 in 1997 after being convicted for indecently assaulting a student on an overnight trip to Dargaville in 1978.
But, the public never knew about it because his name, and that of the school, were both suppressed until now.
Ian Wilson has been sentenced in the Auckland District Court. Photo / Michael Craig
The Herald has successfully had it lifted on behalf of the victim who said he originally laid his complaint in the hope other boys would come forward and abuse at the school would be exposed.
The suppression ruling meant when Neil Harding - another former student - approached police a few months later to lay a complaint about abuse he suffered in 1977 he had no idea Wilson had recently been convicted for abusing another student.
He was instead turned away by a detective who said that Wilson was a known convicted paedophile but he wouldn't take his statement.
"In that moment I gave up on justice for me (and felt like) what had happened to me was trivial and of no real importance," Harding told the Herald.
It took another 20 years before he spoke up again, this time contacting Dilworth directly - a move that indirectly led to Operation Beverly, the police investigation into allegations of historical sex offending at the school.
Ironically it is that investigation that led to Wilson's arrest last year and his sentencing today, including crimes committed against Harding who has chosen to waive his right to automatic name suppression in order to tell his story.
Harding told the Herald he didn't care what sentence Wilson was given, his guilty plea was enough. He also didn't want to destroy the credibility of the police for the way they handled his complaint in 1997, saying he is appreciative of what they are doing now.
His main concern now was making sure any other old boy who suffered abuse felt confident they could come forward and lay a complaint.
Nine people have been arrested in relation to historical offending at Dilworth School in Epsom. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Operation Beverley head Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber told the Herald police were unable to find a record of what happened in 1997, or who the officer was but have spoken to Harding about they way he was treated.
"As part of Operation Beverly, the victim liaison officer spoke with the victim about his experience over 20 years ago. They apologised that matters were not taken seriously and reassured him that they were being followed up.
Police processes around reporting sexual assault have improved over time and there is now a more victim-focused approach. Police ensure welfare is a priority throughout the process, including the judicial process."
Baber said police have identified a large number of victims as part of Operation Beverly and encourage anyone else who was abused to still come forward.
"We hope that this investigation has shown the victims our commitment to investigating these matters given the significant number of charges that have since been laid. It also shows that regardless of whether the matter is historical or not, it will be taken seriously."
The victim of the 1997 conviction also reached out to police after hearing about the Operation Beverly arrests last year but was told his abuse wouldn't be included in the new charges as Wilson has already been convicted and sentenced in relation to that offending.
The man told the Herald he was only 14 when Wilson took him and his brother to his mother's home in Dargaville for an overnight trip. He fondled the boy's genitals during the night and later told him 'we're still friends, but don't tell anyone'."
After the suppression was granted the Auckland man said he felt betrayed by the system and angry Wilson only received a fine for what he had done to him that night - something that left him needing years of counselling.
"In a way, he has got away with it. He pays a fine and walks a free man and can, if he wanted to, do it again," he said at the time. "No amount of money can replace all the emotional harm he has caused me. It's dirt money."
He was also angry about how it was handled by the school in 1997 - the principal at the time was quoted in the Herald saying the incident was "a relatively minor assault" and there had been no concerns about Wilson's behaviour with students during his 20 years there.
Dilworth Trust Board chairman Aaron Snodgrass said the school acknowledged Wilson's conviction today for historical sexual abuse and the lifting of name suppression for his earlier conviction.
"The school apologises to the victim and to all former students who are victim survivors of Ian Wilson and deeply regrets the abuse they endured.
Ian Wilson's offending was a gross breach of trust, particularly from someone who was a Senior Master at our school, a level just under that of Deputy Headmaster."
Snodgrass said the school was made aware of the first historical complaint in 1996 and the complainant was encouraged and supported to report it to the Police.
"We assisted the Police with their inquiries and sought Ian Wilson's removal as a registered teacher with the Teacher Registration Board."
Since that first disclosure was reported we became aware of other complaints, all of which were reported to the Police resulting in further convictions. We can confirm all files related to Ian Wilson during his time at Dilworth have been passed on to the Police."
At the time of the first conviction in 1997 Snodgrass said it was the Board's practice to apply for name suppression in relation to historical allegations but that is no longer the case.
Ian Robert Wilson, right, after an earlier appearance in the Auckland District Court. Photo / Michael Craig
Wilson, who had his head bowed and eyes down during a lot of the sentencing, said he's remorseful for what he has done. He didn't oppose the lifting of his name suppression in relation to the 1997 conviction, saying through his lawyer Steve Cullen that he sees it as "right and proper that it be revoked".
Editor's note
It was a shock for New Zealanders to learn that nine people connected to Auckland's Dilworth School have been charged with sex and drug offences against boys over more than three decades. We want you, our readers, to know that the Herald will follow this story wherever it leads. We have a team of journalists prepared to investigate and we want to hear from you. If you have any information please contact us at yourstory@nzme.co.nz
Murray Kirkness NZ Herald Editor
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.
