Ex-Salvation Army captain on sex charges

A former Salvation Army captain is to stand trial on 28 historic charges of sexual violation and other indecencies on young people.

Detective Tracey Miron said John Francis Gainsford, 69, of Auckland, would face trial at the High Court in Timaru.

She said the charges, involving seven young people, arose from the time Gainsford was manager of the Bramwell Booth Salvation Army Children's Home.

Gainsford worked at the home in Temuka, South Canterbury, between January 1973 and January 1975.

- NZPA