The Herald
July 7 2003

The Ellis Case
Letter to the Editor
by Alan Wilkinson (Russell)

Ian Hassall says that finding Ellis was wrongly convicted of child sex offences could lead to children being disbelieved in the future. His argument is false. When an adult makes an accusation, we ask for supporting evidence. We should do no less for a child, especially when the accusation is extracted in a climate of hysteria and through a process of repeated interrogations.

There was no supporting evidence. Ellis was convicted solely on the accusations and the full context in which they were made was concealed from the jury. Until justice is finally done to Ellis the judicial system will rightly be held in disrepute.