Former teacher Iain Wares, 86, has been arrested in South Africa on 90 further charges linked to historical sexual and physical abuse in Scotland. The case involves testimonies from 65 people who say they were abused while Wares taught at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College in the 1960s and 70s.
South Africa’s High Court ruled in August last year that Wares could be extradited to face trial in Scotland on three charges. UK authorities then sought to add more counts, delaying the transfer. Scotland’s Crown Office had previously listed 74 charges; the latest filings expand the case.
Survivors say both schools failed to alert authorities despite complaints, allowing Wares to leave for South Africa in 1979, where he continued teaching until 2006. A separate local case in Cape Town—brought by a former pupil there—is also under way. Wares was granted bail, with an extradition hearing scheduled for 20 November.
Former Edinburgh Academy pupil Neil Douglas said he broke down on hearing of the arrest, adding that a swift extradition would signal that “finally someone is listening.” Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who has spoken publicly about abuse at his former school, called the development a “glimmer of hope” and a realistic path to a Scottish trial.
Thompsons Solicitors, representing many former pupils, described the new charges as a striking development and condemned what it called a culture of denial and cover-up at the schools. Edinburgh Academy’s current rector said the matter rests with legal authorities in South Africa and Scotland, adding that the school remains committed to facing up to past wrongs and supporting former pupils.