A FORMER Hutchins student was raped twice in two weeks by his French teacher, a royal commission has heard. Timothy Rowland, 66, gave evidence yesterday at the final day of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. Mr Rowland told the inquiry he was 15 or 16 when he was sexually abused by ex-Hutchins teacher Lyndon Hickman, who has since died. Mr Rowland said he came forward with his story after receiving correspondence from the elite school foreshadowing the royal commission. "I was so horrified to hear paedophilia was quite rampant at Hutchins," Mr Rowland said. He told the inquiry the sexual abuse he endured was purportedly punishment for poor grades. "Hickman took me into his office and basically told me that I was a dummy and I had to be taught a lesson," he said. "Hickman then pulled down my pants and raped me." He said Mr Hickman had a half-smirk on his face after the assault, as if he had enjoyed it. "That night I went home with blood on my underpants," he said. "When my mother saw the blood she asked me what had happened ... I told her I had been given the cane." The inquiry heard Mr Rowland felt scared and ashamed, while also fearful he may be arrested under homosexual laws. But Mr Rowland said he approached another Hutchins teacher, Geoffrey Ayling, soon after the second attack. "I did tell Mr Ayling exactly what happened and he said, 'Leave it to me'," Mr Rowland said. "They were his exact words." Mr Ayling has told the inquiry widespread paedophilia among Hutchins staff was covered up throughout the 1960s. Mr Ayling said he knew of six teachers from the school who were believed to be paedophiles, and another two with questionable relationships with students. But Mr Ayling said yesterday that he did not recall being approached by Mr Rowland. "At this time I have no memory of that, however, that's not to say it didn't happen," he said. Mr Rowland said until coming forward to give evidence at the commission, he had not told his parents, wife or peers. Mr Rowland said he held no grudge against the school or malice against Mr Ayling. "I want to get what happened off my chest so that I can help the royal commission and ensure this never happens again," he said.
A FORMER Hutchins student was raped twice in two weeks by his French teacher, a royal commission has heard.
Timothy Rowland, 66, gave evidence yesterday at the final day of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
Mr Rowland told the inquiry he was 15 or 16 when he was sexually abused by ex-Hutchins teacher Lyndon Hickman, who has since died.
Mr Rowland said he came forward with his story after receiving correspondence from the elite school foreshadowing the royal commission.
"I was so horrified to hear paedophilia was quite rampant at Hutchins," Mr Rowland said.
He told the inquiry the sexual abuse he endured was purportedly punishment for poor grades.
"Hickman took me into his office and basically told me that I was a dummy and I had to be taught a lesson," he said.
"Hickman then pulled down my pants and raped me."
He said Mr Hickman had a half-smirk on his face after the assault, as if he had enjoyed it.
"That night I went home with blood on my underpants," he said.
"When my mother saw the blood she asked me what had happened ... I told her I had been given the cane."
The inquiry heard Mr Rowland felt scared and ashamed, while also fearful he may be arrested under homosexual laws.
But Mr Rowland said he approached another Hutchins teacher, Geoffrey Ayling, soon after the second attack.
"I did tell Mr Ayling exactly what happened and he said, 'Leave it to me'," Mr Rowland said.
"They were his exact words."
Mr Ayling has told the inquiry widespread paedophilia among Hutchins staff was covered up throughout the 1960s.
Mr Ayling said he knew of six teachers from the school who were believed to be paedophiles, and another two with questionable relationships with students.
But Mr Ayling said yesterday that he did not recall being approached by Mr Rowland.
"At this time I have no memory of that, however, that's not to say it didn't happen," he said.
Mr Rowland said until coming forward to give evidence at the commission, he had not told his parents, wife or peers.
Mr Rowland said he held no grudge against the school or malice against Mr Ayling.
"I want to get what happened off my chest so that I can help the royal commission and ensure this never happens again," he said.
