A former Awamoa School teacher has pleaded guilty to two charges of indecently assaulting a male pupil in 1982.
Paul Roger Herrick (69), now of Palmerston North, appearing before Judge Joanna Maze in the Oamaru District Court yesterday, vacated his pleas of not guilty and admitted two charges of indecently assaulting a male pupil between January 30 and December 1, 1982.
Both indecent assaults involved the same victim, whose name is suppressed.
Crown prosecutor Matt Beat-tie told the court the first offence occurred after the victim was told to stay behind after school for causing trouble.
Herrick, aged 36 or 37, at the time, told the boy to follow him to the cloakroom, where he rubbed the boy's legs, running his hands up the boy's shorts and began committing an indecent act.
Herrick then told him to collect his things and go home.
On another occasion that year, the victim was again asked to stay behind after school and then called to the cloakroom.
The boy was wearing shorts, which Herrick pulled down.
He then committed indecencies on the boy.
Mr Beattie told the court the indecent assaults had resulted in long-term behavioural issues for the victim, who had struggled to trust anyone in a position of authority.
The charges were first filed in the Oamaru District Court on December 12, 2014.
Herrick initially denied any sexual assault, but admitted the boy had troubles.
After entering guilty pleas yesterday, Herrick was convicted and remanded on bail to appear for sentencing on July 8.
