Five youths on sex charges

Press, 11 August 1979, Page 2

Five youths on sex charges

PA' Auckland Five pupils, aged 17 and 18, from a boarding school appeared in the Supreme Court at Auckland yesterday to answer sex charges. The series of charges against them was the result of an incident in the boys’ dormitory, almost a year ago. The court heard that two girls had initiated the offences at the “boys- only” school, The boys were seduced by the girls, aged 15, their counsel told Mr Justice Quilliam. His Honour made an order that the names of the boys and their school should not be published, as one boy was still at school.

They appeared for sentence after admitting charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, indecent assault,

and permitting a girl to do an indecent act on them. Counsel (Mr A. G. Deobhakta) said the case was unique. The boys were not the seducers — it was the girls who started it. The girls had apparently not anticipated a dormitory full of boys joining in what was “a bit of fum” The boys did not appreciate the gravity of the offences. His Honour described it as “a disgraceful incident,” and said it was no excuse that the girls were generally willing to take part in what happened. It was a tragic affair because all the boys were from good families and had shown ability in school. He ordered that each of the boys come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months, and ordered that each of them pay $75 towards prosecution costs.