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

A former teacher accused of historical sexual abuse in Scotland has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a former student in South Africa.

Iain Wares, 86, has been accused of abuse by numerous 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 stand trial in Scotland – although this was delayed when authorities submitted new charges.

In another case, a Cape Town court found him guilty of indecent assault against 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 pleased with the judgment” after 35 years of waiting for justice.

“But I am just one person who has been mistreated and there are many others who have suffered. It would be unfair for me to celebrate when many are still waiting for justice,” he said.

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

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

The organization said it hoped Wares would get “a sentence that reflects the seriousness of these crimes.”

“We will continue to press for Wares to face justice in Scotland, where many other survivors wait,” he said.

Magistrate Vanessa Miki said she considered Stephen to be a credible witness and that the State had succeeded in proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Wares is scheduled to be sentenced May 13.

Scottish prosecutors first requested Wares’ extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest the following year on seven counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behavior.

The Cape High Court ruled in 2024 that he could be extradited on three charges, but proceedings were delayed as Scottish authorities sought to bring further charges.

Wares was arrested on a British extradition warrant in October last year before being released on bail. A hearing is scheduled for April 16.

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

The South African Public Prosecution Service said the additional charges included 60 counts of sexual assault, four of rape and 25 of assault.

Wares denies the accusations and has fought extradition.

Laura Connor of Thompsons Solicitors, who represents many of Wares’ former pupils in Scotland, said the verdict was likely to spark mixed emotions.

“It’s a pretty monumental moment in the 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 the proceedings proceed with the necessary urgency.

“It is now vital 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 many offenses he has committed here.”