Ex-Salvation Army captain admits four child sex charges

A former Salvation Army captain has admitted four charges of sexual assault on children.

John Francis Gainsford went on trial at the High Court at Timaru this morning on a range of sex charges involving young people dating back to the 1970s.

Gainsford, 69, of Auckland, pleaded guilty to four indecent assault charges but denied another 23 charges ranging from indecent assault to rape.

The charges arose from the time when Gainsford was the manager of the Bramwell Booth Salvation Army Children's Home in Temuka, South Canterbury.

- NZPA