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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Wellington - Police have
agreed to carry out an inquiry into the investigation that led to the conviction
of Peter Ellis, who is four years into a 10-year sentence for child
molestation. The police commissioner, Peter Doone, yesterday agreed to a
request by Parliament's justice and law select committee to hold the inquiry.
It will focus on the actions of a detective, Colin Eade, who headed the
investigation but is no longer in the police. But critics say a narrow inquiry into one key police figure is
not enough, and an Alliance MP who had close family ties to the case has
called for a wider judicial review. Ellis was found guilty of sexually abusing children at the
Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre between 1986 and 1992. The case was the subject of a damning TV3 20/20 programme on
Sunday which claimed that Mr Eade had psychological difficulties and left the
police soon afterwards. The programme also alleged he had intimate relationships with
the mothers of two of the child complainants and attempted to have a
relationship with a third. Mr Doone told MPs on the committee that the allegations regarding
Mr Eade were "absolutely unacceptable" but had not been proved. He said no sanctions could be taken against Mr Eade as he was no
longer in the force. But while welcoming the police investigation, critics want a
more wide-ranging inquiry. Former creche supervisor Gaye Davidson, who faced charges which
were dismissed, said the proposed inquiry could not address many important
issues. "There are too many agencies that can't be separated from
the police involvement and mindset of Colin Eade" The Alliance list MP who called for the judicial review, Rod
Donald, said he regretted not pursuing the issue when he first entered
Parliament but there was pressure on his family to back off. His child attended the creche and his partner was on the management
committee. Mr Donald said there were flaws not only in the police inquiry
but also in the actions of the Christchurch City Council and the social
workers who interviewed the children involved.
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