Inquiry ponders Knox Grammar abuse finding

A former headmaster of Knox Grammar did not commit a crime by not reporting abuse claims to police, his lawyer says.

Purple ribbons are seen tied to the gates of Knox Grammar School

A former headmaster of Knox Grammar, Dr Ian Paterson, told the commission he had not misled police. (AAP)

A former headmaster of Knox Grammar did not commit a crime by failing to give police information about alleged sexual assaults at the elite private school, the child abuse royal commission has heard.

Counsel assisting the commission David Lloyd has sought findings against Dr Ian Paterson under the Crimes Act, it has been revealed.

Dr Paterson, the head of Knox Grammar from 1969 to 1998, gave evidence during an appearance before the commission in March that he had not told everything he knew to an investigating police officer.

However Dr Paterson later retreated from the admission and told the commission he had not misled police.

The commission heard on Monday that Mr Lloyd, in a written submission to the commissioner on the Knox investigation, had sought findings against Dr Paterson under sections 315, 316 and 319 of the NSW Crimes Act.

The sections relate to hindering an investigation, concealing a serious indictable offence and perverting the course of justice, respectively.

The submission has not yet been made public but Dr Paterson's lawyer, Jim Harrowell, told the commission: "The findings that are sought against Dr Paterson are findings in relation to three sections of the Crimes Act.

"If Dr Paterson did not tell or volunteer information, that is not a breach of section 315."

Mr Harrowell also said there was "a paucity of evidence" for any finding of concealing a serious offence in relation to Dr Paterson not telling police about a 1988 incident in which a balaclava-wearing intruder sexually assaulted a boy in his dormitory bed at the school.

The hearing has adjourned.


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Source: AAP


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