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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Convicted child abuser
Peter Ellis will spend his 40th birthday today celebrating a legal milestone
and the glimmer of freedom. On Friday Ellis was
told his convictions had been referred back to the Court of Appeal by
Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys. The appeal may be heard
within three months. Six years ago Ellis was
arrested and charged with 25 counts of sexually abusing children under his
care at the Christchurch Civic Creche. He was eventually convicted of 13
charges and jailed for 10 years. So far, he has served
almost five years. His mother Lesley Ellis
said although she could not visit her son in Christchurch's Paparua Prison
today, his 40th birthday would be a much happier event than his 34th. Mrs Ellis said last
night a decision could be made today on whether an application for bail would
be made pending the appeal. "The appeal itself
could be as far away as October. There's a tremendous amount of paperwork to
get through." She said her son's
lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, clearly wanted to make a good job of the appeal. Ellis has maintained
his innocence throughout. - |
