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Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2001
Further complaint in Ellis/Civic Childcare case
NZPA
Christchurch: A fresh complainant in the Peter
Ellis case went to police after consulting a lawyer and Children's
Commissioner Roger McClay, The Press reported.
The 18-year-old Christchurch
man and his family had approached police a while ago over his allegations he
had been sexually abused by Ellis at the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre
and off the premises.
The Press understood he contacted police again this year and made a formal
complaint in January.
When contacted by the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Ellis' counsel, Judith
Ablett-Kerr QC, declined to comment.
Police are not commenting on how they are treating the complaint and the
Crown Law Office will not confirm whether the complaint has been referred to
it for consideration.
Ellis, freed in February last year after serving two-thirds of a 10-year
sentence for his conviction on 13 charges of abusing children, has continued
to maintain his innocence.
His latest bid for a pardon was rejected on Tuesday. Justice Minister Phil
Goff said a ministerial inquiry by former chief justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum
found Ellis' case failed by a "distinct margin" to prove his
conviction was unsafe.
Support Network for Parents and Caregivers of Sexually Abused Children coordinator
Kathryn Johnston said the latest complainant was spurred into action by
Ellis' release from prison.
The complainant has been told by police not to talk to the media. Ms Johnston
confirmed he played no part in the initial court proceedings and had no
further contact with the other children once he left the creche.
Detective Inspector Rob Pope said he could not comment on the matter.
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