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The Otago Daily Times
August 26, 2002
Dismissal of book a 'slap in the face': Ellis
NZPA
Christchurch: Peter Ellis says the Ministry of Justice's dismissal of
Lynley Hood's book on the Christchurch City Crèche sex-abuse case is "a
slap in the face to the people of New Zealand".
The ministry's chief legal counsel, Val Sim, was asked to assess whether the
award-winning book, A City Possessed
, might indicate a need to reopen the case of the convicted sex offender.
Ms Sim said the book presented "very little new information", and
all points raised had been considered by previous courts and inquiries.
But Mr Ellis (44) said the review was a case of "the powers that be
looking after themselves".
"She was only going to give the answer the boss wants to hear," Mr
Ellis said, in reference to Justice Minister Phil Goff, who ordered the review.
"The public up and down New
Zealand, people that don't know me, they
have written to Mr Goff, to the papers . . . to say something needs to be
done."
He said the refusal to reopen the case was "a slap in the face to the
people of New Zealand".
Hood's 640-page book won this year's Montana Book Award for history and the Montana medal for
non-fiction. The Dunedin
author had received flattering academic and legal critiques of the book.
Mr Ellis worked at the crèche between 1986 and 1991.
He was paroled from prison in February 2000 after serving six and a-half
years years for abusing seven children in his care. He has consistently
maintained his innocence.
When asked if he had given up fighting to clear his name, Mr Ellis replied:
"No, I haven't given it away. You don't hang round for 12 years to say
`Uh, can't be bothered'."
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