Historic Abuse Allegations in Wellington Trial

A woman in her 30s is currently on trial at the Wellington District Court, facing seven serious charges related to alleged historic sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy. The accused is a teacher, and the boy was a student at the time of the alleged abuse, which reportedly occurred over the course of a year when the boy was between the ages of 12 and 13.

The boy, who is now an adult, described the encounters as feeling like an 'out-of-body experience,' where he was present but acted as a passive observer. He recalled that the abuse occurred in multiple locations, including the woman’s home, her bedroom, after showering, and at the woman’s mother’s house. On several occasions, the boy stayed overnight at the woman’s home, prompting her to move her children into a spare bedroom.

The boy recounted that the first incident occurred when he was asleep in her bed with her children. He said the woman removed his underpants and pyjama bottoms and inserted his penis into her vagina. He described the woman as appearing 'stunned' and asking him what had just happened, likening herself to 'a possum under headlights.'

The abuse allegedly continued throughout the year, with multiple instances of oral sex and touching. The boy said the abuse ceased when he began high school and that he did not see the woman again until several years later, when he attended her wedding.

At the wedding, the woman allegedly told the boy about a tattoo on her body, claiming it was for him because she 'loved him forever.' The boy, however, said he struggled with guilt and shame over what happened and eventually shared the story with his girlfriend, family, and finally with police in late 2022.

During cross-examination, the woman’s lawyer, Elizabeth Hall, challenged the boy’s account. She argued that the woman only moved into the house at the end of the year, that her father lived there and was responsible for babysitting the children, and that the woman and her family left Wellington every weekend to visit relatives. Hall also disputed the claim that the boy stayed overnight at the woman’s house and suggested that the incident at the mother’s house never occurred.

The lawyer produced a wedding photograph showing the tattoo, which she said was not visible in the way the boy described. Hall questioned the consistency of the boy’s story, suggesting it was fabricated and that he had told others about the incident but not all the details.

The boy denied that he had ever tried to kiss the woman and was rebuffed, and said he had not pursued charges after that. When asked directly by the Crown prosecutor if his account was a lie, the boy stated it was not.

The Crown is expected to finish its case tomorrow. The woman is accused of five counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and two counts of doing an indecent act on a young person. The trial is being heard in the Wellington District Court before Judge Bill Hastings.

Editorial Note: This case highlights the serious and complex nature of historic abuse allegations and the importance of ensuring justice is served, regardless of the passage of time. The court will have to carefully weigh the evidence and testimony to determine the truth of the matter.