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The Press
August 5, 2003
Reports may have affected trial
Reports
in The Press about the case of Justin Todd Richardson -- charged with making a
false complaint of sexual abuse -- may have prejudiced the chances of a fair
trial, the defence alleged in the Christchurch District Court.
The claim in a memorandum to the court led Judge Brian Callaghan to sound a
warning about publicity on cases before pleas have been entered.
He referred to "reported statements of the police to The Press".
"Comments made about this case have raised issues which may have a
significant bearing on the conduct of any defence," said Mr Lascelles.
However, Judge Callaghan said he did not wish to refer the matter to the
Solicitor-General straight away, because the police and The Press had to be
served with the documents and given time to respond.
Richardson, a 34-year-old foundry worker, has not yet entered pleas to charges
of making a false complaint, and obtaining a $95,000 "pastoral
gesture" from St John of God by a false pretence -- alleging that he had
been sexually abused while at
He was yesterday further remanded on bail for 11 days.