Children’s Home Crimes

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31140, 17 August 1966, Page 3

Children’s Home Crimes

(A'.Z. Press Association)

WANGANUI, August 16.

The assistant manager of a Wanganui children’s home was imprisoned for 12 months today after, pleading guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to nine charges of indecently assaulting children in the home aged between six and 16.

He is Clifton Wilson Hague, aged 50. who was represented by Mr D. H. Brown. Imprisoning Hague for one year on each of the charges, the terms to be concurrent, Mr B. S. Barry, S.M., said Hague had been in a position of trust when the offences occurred.

The Magistrate granted an application by DetectiveSergeant P. W. Harkess that the names of the home and the children be suppressed Detective-Sergeant Harkess

said Hague and his wife had worked at the home from January 1, 1965, to July 27 last as assistant master and matron.

On July 23, two boys from the home complained of the incidents to the home's secretary and, when the police were informed, Hague denied the charges, saying the child-

ren did not like him and had formed a conspiracy against him.

The offences began shortly after Hague’s arrival and continued until July 23, Detec-tive-Sergeant Harkess said. On each occasion, Hague had told the children not to tell anyone as what had happened was a secret and they felt that they would be punished if they did tell, he said. Mr Brown said there was no satisfactory explanation as to why Hague began his actions as he had had no previous desire to indulge in such conduct. The offences were serious because of Hague’s position of responsibility but were not aggravated by any gross malpractices- He asked the Court to extend such leniency as it could.