NZ Herald
March 6, 2004
Judges wrong says ex-detective
by Eugene Bingham
John Dewar
Former Detective Inspector John Dewar has rejected
criticism levelled at him by two judges over his handling of the Louise
Nicholas sex allegations.
Judges Michael Lance and Philip Evans criticised Mr Dewar's conduct in court
documents made public this week after 10-year-old suppression orders were
lifted.
The judges' comments were made in 1994 when a former policeman was cleared of
sex allegations made by Mrs Nicholas after three trials.
Mr Dewar issued a statement through his lawyer yesterday saying the criticisms
were not put to him at the time, and he did not have an opportunity to explain
his position.
"He will explain his position in the appropriate forum," said the
statement.
"Dewar did his duty and will continue to do his duty and denies any
wrongdoing. He looks forward to the commission of inquiry."
The commission, headed by Justice Bruce Robertson and Dame Margaret Bazley, is
to look at Mrs Nicholas' allegation that she was pack-raped by three policemen
and that her complaint was covered up.
After the third trial, Mr Dewar's actions were criticised by Judge Lance, who
said that Mrs Nicholas' allegations "should have triggered alarm bells
that would have permanently silenced Big Ben no matter how vague in terms of
time ... or place".
"Even more surprising than the failure to record [the allegations] is the
officer's deliberate advice ... not to make a statement," the judge said.
The commission said yesterday that it expected to hold its first public meeting
in