Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Three current and
former policemen accused of the pack rape of Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas
were due back in court today for pre trial applications to be heard. The men, assistant
commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards and former officers Bradley Keith
Shipton and Robert Francis Schollum, will go to trial in March. Today's hearing in the
High Court in Auckland was in chambers, meaning it cannot be reported other
than to say the pre-trial applications were being heard. Justice Randerson
earlier ruled it would be prejudicial to the trial if the pre-trial
applications were given publicity. The trial in the High
Court at Auckland is expected to last three weeks. The accused face 20
charges of rape, indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection dating back
to 1986 when the three were working as police officers in Rotorua. All three deny the
allegations. |