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A District Court judge yesterday suppressed submissions
by counsel for the defence and the Crown on the evidence against five former
Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre workers. Judge Anderson, acting on an application by all counsel
in the case, made an interim order suppressing the submissions which are
expected to continue throughout today. Videotaped disclosure interviews with complainants
were suppressed by statute, but any other material would be suppressed to
prevent the submissions prejudicing any future proceedings, the judge said. The hearing, now in its 11th week, is being held to
determine if five former crèche workers should go to trial on charges that they
committed indecencies against some children in their care. Peter Hugh McGregor Ellis, aged 34, faces 45 charges.
Gaye Jocelyn Davidson, aged 39, Janice Virginia Buckingham, aged 45, and
Marie-Keys, aged 43, each face four charges. Deborah Janet Gillespie, aged 30,
faces three charges. The suppression order could be lifted in the event
of further proceedings or the defendants being discharged, the judge said. He said some of the submissions were potentially
emotional and inflammatory. Mr Gerald Nation, for the women defendants, began
his submissions at the start of the hearing yesterday. He will be followed by Mr Robert Harrison, for
Ellis, and then counsel for the. Crown will make submissions. (Proceeding) |
