|
|
Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
|
|
|
|
A Far North police officer has been
found not guilty of rape 18 years ago. The man, who has name suppression,
faced seven charges including rape, sexual violation and assault. He
has been found not guilty on all counts. He was accused of luring a woman
back to a police station where he worked in 1988, tricking her out of her car
by saying she had faulty headlights, then handcuffing and raping her. The defence said the sex was
entirely consensual. The jury began deliberations on
Wednesday afternoon. In summing up Judge Michael Lance
told the jurors it was up to them to decide how reliable and credible the
witnesses had been. He said the incident happened a long time ago and some
witnesses may have had trouble recalling that night. Lance said the jury should not take
the approach of who to approve of, but rather look at each of the seven
charges separately. He said they must be sure beyond
reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent to sex.
|
