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The partners of a top
policeman and two former officers facing criminal charges are standing by
their men - and one is writing a book about the case. On Wednesday police
laid charges over historic offences against Assistant Police Commissioner
Clint Rickards, 44, Brad Shipton, 46, a former Tauranga city councillor, and
Bob Schollum, 52, a Napier car dealer. Suppression issues
surround the number of charges laid against the men, what they relate to and
details of what allegedly happened. The three accused deny
the allegations, which involve Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, and it is
understood they will make a pre-trial application for a stay of proceedings,
saying publicity means they cannot get a fair trial and the delay in the
matter coming to court is unfair. At last week's court appearance,
about half a dozen family and friends supported the men. Among the trio's
supporters are Schollum's wife Caron, Shipton's wife Sharon and Rickards'
partner Tania Eden. None of the three
wanted to speak, but a source said they were staunchly supporting their men.
The women said there was another side to the men's stories and they believed
their partners were innocent. A friend said Sharon
Shipton, who has been married to her husband for 27 years, was writing a book
about the case and had so far completed 100 pages. It is understood the
men knew up to two weeks ago they were facing charges after police contacted
their respective lawyers, giving them the chance to tell their families
before the public announcement. The lives of the men
have changed markedly since the inquiry became public 14 months ago. The Shiptons, who have
one child, sold their liquor businesses and have their Tauranga house on the
market. Sharon is studying law, while Brad Shipton is looking at a new
business venture and is no longer a councillor. Clint Rickards,
currently stood down from his job, is living in Auckland, while Tania Eden
recently left the police as an inspector to be a community labour market
development manager at Work and Income. She commutes from her new job on the
East Coast to see her partner at weekends. They have five children between
them. Caron and Bob Schollum,
who have two children, are carrying on as usual and are said to have strong
family support over the court case. Caron is Schollum's second wife and he
has other children from a previous marriage. The issue spurred the
government to launch a commission of inquiry into police conduct, which will
announce its next move on Wednesday. The men were all bailed to reappear in
the Rotorua District Court. Rickards will appear on April 15 and the
remaining two will appear on March 30. It is understood the
police investigation and commission of inquiry could be one of the most
expensive criminal inquiries for taxpayers - set to cost about $6 million. Police travel and
accommodation expenses alone had already cost more than $1m. |
