Former Fettes College teacher charged with further 90 sex abuse offences

A former teacher at one of Scotland’s most prestigious private schools has been charged in South Africa with a further 90 historical sexual abuse offences.

Iain Wares has been accused of abuse by multiple former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 1970s.

The 86-year-old currently lives in Cape Town, where the High Court ruled in August last year that he could be extradited on three charges to face trial in Scotland.

The process was delayed due to pandemic travel restrictions, and then by his appeal against the decision. It has since been delayed after UK authorities looked to submit further charges.

A solicitor representing some of his victims described the pensioner as “one of the worst paedophiles Scotland has ever seen” and called for him to finally be extradited to Scotland to face trial.

Wares previously faced 74 charges of historic abuse relating to more than 40 victims aged as young as nine. He also faces separate charges of sexual misconduct in Cape Town.

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who accused Wares of abuse when he attended Edinburgh Academy, is among those who have called for him to be extradited to Scotland.

The former maths teacher and rugby coach left the school in 1973 after serious complaints were lodged against him.

He moved to Fettes College to teach for six years before moving back to South Africa, where he taught for a further 27 years.

In an apology offered in 2023, Edinburgh Academy acknowledged the “brutal and unrestrained” violence and admitted “serious sexual abuse was widespread” – and expressed regret that police were not brought in to deal with Wares in the 1970s. He was instead recommended to Fettes College.

Fettes College also issued an apology for allowing Wares to keep working despite allegations of abuse because of the intervention of a psychiatrist.

Laura Connor, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, representing the survivors, said: “This is a striking development in the case of Ian Wares, one of the worst paedophiles Scotland has ever seen.

“It yet again highlights the depth of depravity that existed in both Fettes College and Edinburgh Academy.

“It also shows the culture of denial and cover-up on behalf of both schools towards the innocent children being abused under their care.

“The many clients we represent from both institutions now demand to see Wares finally extradited.

“This man should be on trial here, in Scotland, where he committed these offences, and where he should be brought to justice.”