Ex-teacher accused of Edinburgh school abuse found guilty of sex attack in South Africa

A former teacher accused of historical sex abuse charges in Scotland has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a former pupil in South Africa.

Iain Wares, 86, has been accused of abuse by scores of former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 1970s.

Wares now lives in Cape Town, where the high court previously ruled he could be extradited to face trial in Scotland - although this was delayed when authorities submitted further charges.

In a separate case, a Cape Town court has found him guilty of indecently assaulting a former student in South Africa who accused him of sexual abuse in the 1980s.

Wares' victim Stephen, whose real name has been changed to protect his identity, told the BBC he was "very happy with the judgment" after a 35-year wait for justice.

"But I'm just one person who was abused and there are many others who suffered. It would be unfair for me to celebrate while there are still many who are waiting justice," he said.

Stephen was a student at a state school in Cape Town, where Wares was teaching at the time of the abuse in 1988.

Stephen also thanked South African organisation Women and Men Against Child Abuse for its "tireless support, expertise regarding child abuse and patience with the legal due process", as well as its role in bringing Wares to justice.

The organisation said it hoped Wares would get "a sentence that reflects the seriousness of these crimes".

"We will continue to push for Wares to face justice in Scotland, where many more survivors are waiting," it said.

Magistrate Vanessa Miki said she found Stephen to be a credible witness and thatthe state had managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Wares is due to be sentenced on 13 May.

Prosecutors in Scotland first requested Wares' extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest the following year on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.

The High Court in Cape Town ruled in 2024 that he could be extradited on three charges, but the process was delayed as the authorities in Scotland looked to bring further charges.

Wares was arrested under a UK extradition warrant in October last year before being released on bail. A hearing is scheduled to take place on 16 April.

His accusers include BBC presenter Nicky Campbell, who was not abused by Wares but has said he witnessed the sexual abuse of a pupil by the teacher.

South Africa's national prosecuting authority said the additional charges included 60 counts of sexual assault, four of rape and 25 of assault.

Wares denies the charges and has fought against the extradition.

Laura Connor of Thompsons Solicitors, which represents many of Wares' former pupils in Scotland, said there were likely to be some mixed emotions at the verdict.

"It is quite a monumental point in proceedings where we now have Iain Wares as a convicted sex offender," she said.

"I believe this may be the first of many convictions, provided that further proceedings are progressed with the necessary urgency.

"It is now essential that all relevant authorities work together to ensure that this convicted child sex offender is extradited to Scotland in April, so that he can face justice for the extensive offences he committed here."