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Otago Daily Times
Thursday, 3-February 2000
Ellis leaves prison; Goff signals inquiry
NZPA
Christchurch: Convicted child abuser Peter Ellis
walked to freedom yesterday as Justice Minister Phil Goff signalled a new
inquiry may be held into the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre case.
Ellis (41) made a low-key departure from Christchurch's Paparua Prison early
yesterday, ending a six and a-half-year term for convictions relating to
abuse of children at the creche between 1986 and 1991.
He was driven through the prison's front gate and dropped off at his mother's
home, where he will live under strict parole conditions.
He later appeared at a press conference where he read a prepared statement
and did not answer any questions.
Mr Goff said the Governor-General had sought his advice on an application for
a pardon and a royal commission of inquiry on behalf of Ellis.
He said he had major concerns about the case stemming from his reading of the
Thorp report (an inquiry conducted by former High Court judge Sir Thomas
Thorp) and last year's Court of Appeal judgement.
The Court of Appeal had recommended a commission of inquiry to investigate
aspects of the case outside its competence, he said.
The concerns about the case centred on the way evidence had been presented,
the contamination of children's evidence and the way interviews of the
children had been conducted, Mr Goff said. Those aspects merited further work
and could not be "let to lie".
"I have asked the Ministry of Justice to prepare an options paper on how
best we can look further into these questions. I will wait for that before
reaching a decision on which direction we will go in."
However, it was premature to conclude there would definitely be a commission
of inquiry into the case, Mr Goff said.
He could make no judgement on Ellis' guilt or innocence and "it is not
appropriate for a member of the executive to consider advising the
Governor-General to grant a pardon when the Court of Appeal has twice
concluded there has been no miscarriage of justice."
Ellis' lawyer, Judith Ablett Kerr QC, of Dunedin, said Mr Goff had stolen
"Peter's thunder" but in a very positive way. She said she felt
sure an inquiry would be held and would meet Mr Goff today.
Appearing at the press conference dressed conservatively and wearing his long
hair in a pony tail, Ellis thanked his mother and his supporters.
After years of relying on other people to speak for him it was "now
right that I speak for myself", he said.
He thanked creche staff and parents of creche children who had stood by him.
His fellow prisoners and their families were given a special mention for
their support.
"Just because I've been released from prison the fight to clear my name
does not stop. It goes on and I do not intend to stop until my name is
cleared and the truth is out for everyone's sake, including the
children," he said.
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