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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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A Court of Appeal decision endorsing jury verdicts
on Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre worker Peter Ellis has left parents
relieved, but supporters unhappy. The court yesterday upheld 13 of 16 convictions
against Ellis, saying the jury was justified in its guilty verdicts. Parents of children involved in the creche trial
expressed relief and satisfaction at the verdict. They cannot be named
because of a prohibition on identifying the complainants. "Absolutely delighted" was one reaction.
Parents said the result had been expected, but a nagging doubt always existed
that the court would overturn the convictions. Nearly two years after depositions in the case
began in Christchurch, parents aid they could finally put the saga behind
them, although it would never be forgotten. One parent said it was important the case had gone
to the appeal stage because the positive result obtained gave "rock-solid"
validity to the conviction. Ellis supporters said they were bitterly
disappointed by the judgment, the more so because of the hope that a fresh
look at the case would result in Ellis, 36, being acquitted. The manager of the creche while Ellis worked there,
Gaye Davidson, described the rulings as "just unbelievable." "We're all still totally behind him and this
judgment makes no difference to that. We saw the majority of the evidence
against him and there is no way this could have happened," she said. "We saw the children building up the stories
that were given to them. Because I was falsely accused myself I know how
easily it could happen. Supporters would continue fighting to change the
way abuse allegations were handled, she said. Ms Davidson and three other women creche workers
were charged with committing indecencies against creche children in October
1992. They were discharged before trial in March and April last year. Ellis's mother, Lesley Ellis, who lives in
Christchurch, said she had never dreamed the appeal would end so badly.
"We haven't got the system to budge an inch. We'll have another think
and start again," she said. Graham Panckhurst QC, who conducted the appeal with
Ellis's solicitor, Robert Harrison, said he was naturally disappointed and
remained concerned about the verdicts. He broke the news to Ellis yesterday
morning. "He showed amazing restraint and dignity. He
does not accept the judgment and is still adamant about his innocence." Ellis had "very few" avenues open now and
there had been no time to absorb the judgment and to reflect on the possible
options, he said. Ellis appealed his convictions on charges that he
molested children at the Christchurch City Council-run creche between 1986
and 1991. After a High Court trial in April last year, the jury returned
guilty verdicts on 16 of 28 charges. During police investigation Children and Young
Person's service social workers interviewed 118 children who attended the
creche. The Southern regional manager of the service, Janet Biswell, said
none of the defence concerns about the service's interviewing unit had been
sustained by the courts. |
