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One News
July 21, 2002
Author writes off Ellis allegations
The
author of an award-winning book about the Christchurch Civic Creche child
abuse case says she believes fresh allegations against Peter Ellis are just
recycled claims.
Ellis spent seven years in jail for abusing children while he worked at the
creche. Police have visited the convicted sex offender's home to inform him
of new allegations.
Lynley Hood - whose book, "A City Possessed", is critical of the
case against Ellis - says police raise similar claims every time questions
about the former creche worker's guilt resurface in the public arena.
But she says the fresh allegations never go anywhere.
The police have asked Ellis to arrange a time with his lawyer to go a police
station to answer questions on the new claims.
Hood's controversial book has taken out a trio of prizes in this year's
Montana Book Awards.
It has been awarded the Medal for Non-fiction, as well as the History and the
Readers' Choice categories.
Hood says she felt the book had to be written.
One News
July 20, 2002
Ellis faces sex allegation probe
Police
want to question convicted sex offender Peter Ellis over another allegation.
Ellis has already spent seven years in jail for abusing children while he
worked at a Christchurch
creche.
A visit by police to Ellis' home this week has raised the prospect of a
further allegation.
Ellis said police would not give him many details.
"They basically said it was about a sexual allegation, but they wouldn't
specify anything further," he said.
One News reported more than a year ago that police were investigating a new
complaint of sexual abuse dating back to the early '90s and made by a male
now thought to be in his late teens.
The timing of the police visit is under fire from author Lynley Hood, whose
book asserting Mr Ellis' innocence is a finalist in the Montana Book awards.
"They've done this every time Peter's innocence is discussed in the
media, and it appears to be the same allegations that appear every
time," said Hood.
Ellis said he will continue to defend his name and he maintains his
innocence.
"This has been going on for two or three years now. It's wearying,"
he said.
Ellis says when his lawyer returns from overseas he will deal further with
the issue
One News
July 20, 2002
Ellis faces fresh questioning
The
police want to talk to convicted sex abuser Peter Ellis about new allegations
against him.
Two police officers called at his home on Wednesday and asked that he make a
time with his lawyer to go the police station to answer questions.
Ellis was convicted of 16 counts of sexual abuse at the Christchurch Civic
Creche, but he has consistently maintained his innocence.
One of his supporters, Winston Welleans, who was at the house when the police
arrived, says the officers did not give any details about the complaint.
The fresh allegations come as a book which is critical of the case against
Peter Ellis is tipped as a leading contender in the finals of the Montana book awards on
Saturday night.
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