Ex-Cub leader admits drugging boys

A former national Cub leader has admitted poisoning three teenage boys with a sex-related drug and indecently assaulting one of them.

Alexander Ian Clark, 48, a Christchurch factory worker, came to police attention after one of the boys, Tim Hueston, 17, was found dead in a car at Clark's house nearly two years ago.

Clark had been the assistant national Cub commissioner, instructing leaders on the group's code of conduct, until he quit in 2000.

Police interviewed several other teenagers after the death and found that Clark had been plying them with beer and a drug called isobutyl nitrite, and providing gay blue movies. The drug, also known as Rush, is popular among homosexuals for enhancing sexual pleasure. It can cause dizziness, nausea, a failure of muscular co-ordination, sedation, fainting, respiratory problems and ultimately coma and death.

In the Christchurch District Court yesterday Clark pleaded guilty to three counts of poisoning with intent. He also admitted indecently assaulting a teenager on a hunting trip.

Judge Colin Doherty remanded Clark in custody for sentencing next month and indicated that jail was a prospect because of the sinister side to his offending.

Tim Hueston, a former Sea Scout, was sent to board with Clark in January 2001 while training as a carpenter.

Four months later, Mr Hueston visited his doctor suffering from inexplicable tremors in his fingers and body, lasting several hours.

He was found dead five days later on May 21, 2001.

The death has been referred to the coroner as a suspected suicide.

His mother, Pam Hueston, said outside court that the only way to stop "evil, manipulative men" was to teach youths to report incidents of abuse, without fear of being blamed.

Scouting NZ national secretary Fred Moselen said no complaints were received against Clark in his time with Cubs. He left for personal reasons.

- NZPA