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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse in NZ |
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Tauranga: A policeman
has gone on trial for sexually violating a former escort worker. Senior Constable
Fredrick Follas (44), of Tauranga, pleaded not guilty in the High Court at
Rotorua on Monday to sexually violating the woman - who at the time was a
prisoner in the cells at Tauranga Police Station - while she was having a
shower on February 5 last year. Crown prosecutor
Jonathan Temm told the jury the woman (22), whose name is suppressed, was
arrested on February 1 last year by Constable Scott Simpson because a warrant
had been issued. She provided Const
Simpson with a false name and address when he stopped her for speeding on
January 27. She was taken to
Tauranga police station and locked in cell number two of the female section
of the station’s watch-house. The woman said in
evidence that Follas sexually violated her with a bar of soap and his hand a
few days after her arrest. She said he walked past
the shower room once or twice before allegedly coming right up to the shower
area and carried out the attack. Questioned by Mr Temm, she
said she had trouble remembering some of the details. “All I remember is
being in there and what happened and I don’t want to remember any more.” The Crown is to call 17
witnesses. The trial is expected
to last all week. |
