The extradition of a former teacher described as "Scotland's Jimmy Savile" has been delayed again. Iain Wares, 87, faces around 90 charges of historical sex abuse against former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College. He lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and was arrested on a UK extradition warrant in October last year before being released on bail.
Hearing rescheduled to November
The hearing was due to take place earlier this year but was cancelled due to sickness. It was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 22, but the BBC reports it has been delayed again until November 10.
The alleged sexual abuse offences at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes are said to have occurred between 1968 and 1979. Wares' accusers include BBC presenter Nicky Campbell, who said he witnessed the sexual abuse of a pupil by the teacher but was not himself abused by Wares.
Previous conviction and allegations
In March, a court in Cape Town found the pensioner guilty of indecently assaulting one of his former pupils in South Africa in 1988. He is yet to be sentenced for this crime.
Two years ago, Campbell told the Record he believed Wares had as many as 120 victims from his time teaching in Scotland and South Africa. Wares originally came to Scotland in 1967 to seek treatment at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for his admitted attraction to young boys.
In the same 2024 interview, Campbell said he had spoken to experts who thought Wares was more prolific than Savile. He added: "Savile was an opportunist and operated on a one-to-one basis. Wares was given jobs as a teacher and didn't have to wait for opportunities. All he wanted was laid on a plate for him, 10 and 20 at a time in his classrooms, and he had power and authority over them all."
Potential record indictment
More than 100 victims have made allegations about Wares's alleged sadistic physical and sexual abuse to Police Scotland and the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. It has been suggested that if Wares is extradited, he could face the longest indictment - set of charges - ever seen in Scotland. Wares faces around 90 charges brought by more than 60 former pupils.
