Retired teachers Wayne Hurley, 72, of Bay Roberts, and Wayne Oates, 75, of Clarenville, were arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses against former students. (CBC)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they had arrested two retired teachers and charged them with multiple sexual offences against two former students.
In a news release Thursday, the RCMP said charges would be filed against 72-year-old Wayne Hurley of Bay Roberts and 75-year-old Wayne Oates of Clarenville – both retired Gander Collegiate teachers – for incidents that allegedly occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Hurley is charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual battery. Oates is charged with one count each of sexual assault and gross indecency.
The charges involve four complainants, all women who were teenagers at the time of the crimes, police said. The first complainant came forward in 2021, which triggered an investigation, and the others came forward in 2022.
RCMP spokeswoman Glenda Power says police believe there are other potential victims and are urging anyone with further information to come forward. Power acknowledges that victims of sexual crimes go through traumatic experiences and find it difficult to talk about their experiences.
“The good thing is we are here, we are listening, and there should be no shame in coming forward and reporting,” Power said. “The RCMP recognizes the tremendous bravery of the women who have come forward so far, and we know this takes a lot, and we admire their resilience and courage.”
Hurley and Oates were released on several court-ordered conditions and are scheduled to appear in provincial court in Gander in September.
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