NZ Herald
December 20 2004

Nicholas case man returns to work

A former senior detective accused by Louise Nicholas of a cover-up of her complaint of being pack-raped by three policemen in Rotorua has returned to his St John Ambulance job.

John Dewar returned last month as human resources manager of St John Midland region after nine months’ special leave to enable him to prepare for a commission of inquiry ordered by the Government over Ms Nicholas’ allegations.
The commission has adjourned indefinitely while a police team set up to investigate Ms Nicholas’ claims completes its inquiries.

St John said Mr Dewar was returning to work because of the inquiry delay. He was undergoing a "reintegration" process to aid his transition back from leave.

Twenty detectives will resume their 10-month investigation next month.

Ms Nicholas’ allegations date back to when she was 13 in Murupara. She says she was pack-raped at age 18 in a Rotorua police house, during which she alleges she was violated with a police baton.

The police team, co-opted mainly from the South Island and headed by Superintendent Nick Perry, Southern Region District commander, broke up this week for the Christmas break.

Spokesman Jon Neilson said it made sense to have South Island police working on the case so it could be seen to be independent.

Ms Nicholas alleges seven policemen committed sex crimes against her, including Brad Shipton, Bob Schollum and Clint Rickards, who she said were involved in the baton incident. The three named have denied the allegations.

Since leaving the police, Mr Shipton has owned bars and was a Tauranga City councillor. Mr Schollum became a car salesman.

Assistant Commissioner Rickards has been stood down since February from his job as Auckland regional commander.

The team’s investigations include other complaints against officers.