2 retired Gander Collegiate teachers facing charges of sexual offences against former students

The RCMP says it has arrested and charged two retired teachers with multiple sexual offences against two former students.

In a press release on Thursday, the RCMP said Wayne Hurley, 72, of Bay Roberts and Wayne Oates, 75, of Clarenville both retired Gander Collegiate teachers arefacing charges over incidents alleged to have happened in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Hurley is charged with four counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault. Oates is charged with one count each of indecent assault and gross indecency.

The charges involve four complainants, all women who were teenagers at the time of the offences, say police. The first complainant came forward in 2021, prompting an investigation, and the others came forward in 2022.

RCMP spokesperson Glenda Power says police believe there may be other potential victims and are urging anyone who may have more information to come forward.Power acknowledged that victims of sexual offencesexperience trauma and may find it difficult totalk about their experience.

"The good thing is that we're here, we're listening, and there should be no shame in coming forward to report," said Power."The RCMP recognizes the tremendous courage of the women who have come forward thus far, and we know that this takes a lot and we admire their resilience and their bravery."

Hurley and Oates were released on multiple court-ordered conditions. They're scheduled to appear in Gander provincial court in September.

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