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Allegations
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Lawyers for two former police
officers facing historic charges say they may apply to have their cases
thrown out. Robert Francis
Schollum, 52, and Bradley Keith Shipton, 46, appeared yesterday in Tauranga
District Court, where all details of the charges were suppressed. But their lawyers said
today they feared their clients would not get a fair trial because of the
huge publicity the cases have already had. Their co-accused in
relation to allegations made by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, Assistant
Commissioner Clinton John Rickards, appeared in Auckland District Court
yesterday. Details of the charges were also suppressed. "You can
anticipate there'll be an application (for) a stay of proceedings to prevent
a trial," Schollum's lawyer Paul Mabey, QC, said today. "One of the basis
will be the very extensive and what I consider to be damaging publicity
already," Mr Mabey told National Radio. Shipton's lawyer Bill
Nabney said today his client was also considering a stay application because
of publicity. However, he told National
Radio Shipton was still weighing his options because other cases had been
held despite wide media coverage. Mr Nabney said Shipton
was disappointed he had been charged but pleased his case was now before the
courts. Rickards, who has been on
suspension, on full pay, for the past 14 months since the investigation
started, entered no plea in relation to the allegations. Lawyer John Haigh, QC,
said Rickards would vigorously defend the charges. Shipton and Schollum
were bailed to appear in Rotorua District Court on March 30 Rickards was bailed to
appear in the same court on April 17. Bail conditions for the
men included handing over their passports, and not contacting the alleged
victim or trying to contact the crown witnesses. Canterbury University
media law expert John Burrows said the suppression orders imposed at the
men's appearance were unusual, because it was usually the name of the accused
that was suppressed. However, Professor
Burrows said any decision on suppression was made only after careful
consideration. "The judge has had
everything explained to him. It is based on the information he has got."
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