Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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by Martin Johnston A group of former patients at Lake Alice Hospital Psychiatrist Dr Selwyn
Leeks' extradition to New Zealand has become an open question again, after a
fresh complaint of child abuse was laid by a former patient. Detective
Superintendent Malcolm Burgess, from the Police Commissioner's office, said
yesterday that he was reviewing complaints from former patients of the
long-closed Dr Leeks, who is living
in Mr Burgess is reviewing
35 complaints, including one new one. "I will assess
that complaint on its merits and reach a conclusion as to whether further
inquiry is warranted. I guess out of that will arise any consideration of whether
Dr Leeks is required to come back here." The Herald reported
last September that the police had decided that they could not seek Dr Leeks'
extradition to face prosecution because they had no evidence of criminal
offending by him at The 45-year-old He says he was
"tortured" by painful injections, solitary confinement and electric
shock therapy given as punishment. He did not have a mental illness but was
put in hospital by his mother, who had found his behaviour difficult. Dr Leeks could not be
contacted last night in In parallel to both
these inquiries, the Porirua police are investigating two child abuse
complaints, from former patients of the old Detective Senior
Sergeant Mike Oxnam said the complaints had been investigated and referred to
legal advisers. More than 300 former
patients, including about 120 from Porirua, have alleged they were abused in
the 1960s and 1970s at psychiatric hospitals from The Government has refused
to hold an inquiry and around 80 civil cases have been filed in the High
Court at Some of the cases are
going through preliminary hearings. The Crown is trying to have them struck
out, so far unsuccessfully. In 2001 the Government
issued an apology and compensation to a group of former This followed a report
by retired judge Sir Rodney Gallen which revealed that as well as
"therapy" as punishment, the Steve Green, the
executive director of anti-psychiatry group Citizens Commission on Human
Rights, last night encouraged the police to thoroughly assess the complaints
and to read Sir Rodney's report. The group wanted to see Dr Leeks prosecuted,
Mr Green said. "It's what the victims need for proper closure, that
justice is seen to be done." |