25 Jan 2007

Police in Samoa issue arrest warrant for alleged NZ paedophile

11:25 am on 25 January 2007

The police in Samoa have issued a stop order against a retired New Zealand male teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted under-age boys in a rural village.

The move by police has come following a public appeal for the man's arrest.

The assistant police commissioner and spokesman, Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo, says the exact number of the alleged victims should be known after an investigation currently underway.

The New Zealand visitor is known to his victims as Kevin.

Meanwhile the local victim support group has accused the police of not taking immediate action to investigate the matter when it was first reported by some members of the village several years ago.