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Otago Daily Times
Saturday, 29-January 2000
Stressful time likely for Ellis
Christchurch: Adjusting to life on the outside
will be difficult for soon-to-be released Paparua Prison inmate Peter Ellis,
his mother says.
Ellis (41), who was convicted in 1993 on 16 charges of abusing children in
his care at Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre, will be released on
Wednesday. He has served 6½ years of a 10-year jail sentence.
Ellis has protested his innocence and doubts have emerged about the way
allegations against him arose, the way young children were interviewed, and
the impartiality of his trial jury.
As he began his last weekend in prison, his mother, Lesley Ellis, said her
son's virtual house arrest before his trial in April 1993 meant he had spent
closer to eight years divorced from the real world.
"It's going to be a bit stressful while he adjusts again," she
said. "He's got to find his feet again, which isn't going to be easy
because life has moved on and even the city has changed so much."
He used to play darts at the Prince of Wales pub in the central city but that
had now gone, she said.
Mrs Ellis said her son would live with her in Christchurch and it was hoped a
job for him could be finalised soon.
She had always received a good reception in the community and she did not
think her son would be treated any differently to her, she said.
The fight to secure a royal commission of inquiry into the case would
continue, she said.
"He can't really get on with his life until there is some sort of
resolution and the charges are cleared away," she said.
Knowing he was innocent had kept him going during his prison term and he was
not leaving prison bitter, she said.
Ellis has failed to have his convictions overturned despite two applications
to the Governor-General and a second hearing in the Court of Appeal late last
year.
A third petition was lodged with the Governor-General for a pardon and a
royal commission of inquiry into the case after the latest court decision.
A spokesman for Justice Minister Phil Goff said yesterday a decision on the
commission of inquiry bid would be made soon.
Ellis' lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr QC, said a commission of inquiry could
consider evidence that the Court of Appeal rejected as outside its powers. - NZPA
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