Ex HIBS staff member, Anthony (Tony) Francis, has been sentenced to twelve months home detention, having been reduced from the initial three years and seven months in prison due to his age, now 78, and suffering from a range of medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease.

The sex offending happened multiple times between 1998 and 1999 to two students at the school. The police weren’t able to proceed until the older victim came forth as there wasn’t enough solid evidence to build a case.

Speaking outside the courtroom, the older victim said he had come to court not expecting a severe sentence, but it was still a “kick in the guts” that “a retired man gets to hang out at home as a sentence”.

He said it was “difficult to believe it’s all over”, as the case had taken more than three years to resolve since he first laid the police complaint.

He was dubious that Francis showed true remorse, saying his letter of apology was “nondescript” and blamed Francis’ upbringing for his offending.

The younger victim had mixed emotions about the outcome, but he was most upset about the fact that Francis was not being put on the sex offenders register, saying that his low risk of re-offending should have no bearing on the decision.

Source: Melissa Nightingale / NZ Herald

04/03/26