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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Some suppression orders
have been lifted in the trial involving one current and two former policeman. Clinton Rickards,
Bradley Shipton and Robert Schollum are accused of a number of historical sex
offences against Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas. At the High Court in
Auckland, Justice Randerson lifted suppression orders which prevented the
media from previously reporting the number and nature of the charges. The three men face a
total of 20 charges relating to a period between 1985 and 1986 when the
complainant was 18-years-old. They are accused of indecent assault, rape and
unlawful sexual connection and the charges include two counts of indecent
assault using a baton. The jury of seven woman
and five men was selected on Monday morning. Assistant Police
Commissioner Rickards appeared in the dock at the High Court in Auckland in
his police uniform and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Shipton and Schollum
also deny the claims. The hearing is set down
for three weeks and the Crown has indicated it will be calling more than 40
witnesses. |
