Wellington school principal on 20 child abuse charges

RICHARD JOEL: On sick leave.

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A Wellington primary school principal whose teaching career spans more than 30 years is facing 20 charges of child sex abuse.

Rewa Rewa School principal Richard Fallowfield Joel, 60, of Mana, has been on sick leave since the charges were laid. He faces 20 counts of indecently assaulting a boy aged 12 to 16, dating back to 1975.

The school has so far been unable to tell the community about the charges, but Joel's name suppression lapsed in Wellington District Court yesterday.

The case is being handled by specialist police child abuse detectives from Operation Hope, a team set up to investigate historic child abuse in the Wellington district.

Police hope the public will provide more information to help with their investigation.

When visited at his home yesterday, Joel said he could not discuss the charges and would not say whether he had talked about the matter with the school.

Rewa Rewa School board of trustees chairwoman Helen Richards said parents had not yet been told because "my understanding is the charges haven't been released".

"We legally will talk to them as and when we can. We've got it all under control. Everything is fine. We're just ticking along," Ms Richards said.

Joel had been on leave since the fourth term began earlier this month, when the charges were laid.

A school newsletter dated this month advised parents that Joel was on sick leave and that an acting principal was in place.

The Wellington CIB head, Detective Inspector Mike Arnerich, said police wanted to hear from anyone with more information.

"Given the significance of the charges and the nature of those charges, the investigation team are of the view that there are likely to be other members of the public who are able to provide information that will assist police in their ongoing investigation into the activities of Mr Joel."

Although Operation Hope had initially focused on Wairarapa, detectives also reviewed all the child abuse files in the Wellington district to ensure they were being given enough attention. Joel's case was not from Wairarapa and the investigation was not delayed but, as a result of that review, this investigation was given a priority.

The maximum jail sentence for indecent assault under the Crimes Act is 10 years.

* Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Andrew Compton of Wellington Police on 04 496 3444

- © Fairfax NZ News