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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Louise Nicholas has
broken down in tears in the dock while giving testimony about allegedly being
raped by three police officers. Assistant police
commissioner Clinton Rickards, together with two former police officers
Bradley Shipton and Bob Schollum, are accused of committing 20 sex offences
between 1985 and 1986. They deny the charges of rape, indecent assault and
unlawful sexual connection, including the use of a police baton. The offences are
alleged to have taken place when the three accused were working in Rotorua
and Nicholas was 18. Nicholas took the stand
on Monday afternoon and spoke of how she was forced to have intercourse and
oral sex with Shipton and Rickards between six and 12 times. She said
they would often turn up at her Rotorua flat unannounced, wanting
sex. Nicholas then went on
to describe in emotional detail an incident involving all three men when she
was allegedly raped and assaulted with a police baton. She broke down in tears
as she told the court how her loud pleas for the men to stop were
ignored. Earlier in his opening
address Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh told the court that Shipton and
Rickards visited Nicholas' flat on several occasions for the purpose of
having sex. Zarifeh said Nicholas felt powerless to resist the men as they
were police officers and she never consented to any of the sex. In a brief opening
statement the defence lawyers said the three men admit to having sex with
Nicholas on several occasions but that it was always consensual. The defence also says
that the alleged incident in which Nicholas was assaulted with a police baton
never happened, and that the claims made by her are untrue. Meanwhile, Rickards may
face a reprimand for wearing his police uniform in the dock. Rickards appeared on
the first day of the trial in uniform but regulations forbid officers from wearing
their uniforms while suspended. A spokesperson for the Police Commissioners
Office says Rickards has been sent a letter reminding him of the policy. The
issue is an internal disciplinary matter. |
