Ex-teacher accused of sex abuse can be extradited to UK

Iain Wares pictured in Cape Town last year

A former teacher accused of dozens of historic sexual abuse charges in Scotland has been told by a court in South Africa that he can be extradited back to the UK.

Iain Wares, 85, has been accused of abuse by scores of former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 70s.

Mr Wares now lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where the High Court ruled he can be extradited to face trial in Scotland.

The court's decision now requires a decision from South Africa's justice minister.

Presenter allegations

In a judgement published on Thursday, the court ruled that Mr Wares could be extradited on three of seven charges raised in South Africa, which include lewd and indecent behaviour.

The judges said he could not be extradited on the other four charges because they were too far in the past and at the time they had been issued, they had been timed out under South African law.

The judgement means Mr Wares could now be sent to Scotland, where the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has said he faces 74 charges.

BBC presenter Nicky Campbell is among those who have made allegations against the former teacher.

Prosecutors in Scotland requested his extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest in May 2019 on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.

Magistrates in South Africa originally approved the extradition but Mr Wares challenged the ruling at appeal, leading to Thursday’s judgement.