Allegations of Sexual Abuse
	Police Rape Allegations - Main Index Page 16 - from April 2 2006
	Sunday Star Times April 2 2006 Cops given legal aid as cost of case runs into millions by Rachel Grunwell Two of the men acquitted in the Louise Nicholas case received legal aid to defend themselves. The legal aid bill for former policemen Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum is among costs for the case which could push the bill for taxpayers to $14 million. That bill includes the Commission of Inquiry into police misconduct spanning 20 years. Legal Services Agency grants manager Robyn Nicholas - not related to Louise Nicholas - said final legal aid costs for Shipton and Schollum would not be known until their lawyers had finished invoicing. The men were granted legal aid last August. Shipton had so far received $42,355 and Schollum $38,981. Legal aid costs to come included the trial expenses, which included an hourly rate for lawyers of between $95 and $165, plus witness bills and associated expenses. Robyn Nicholas would not say how many hours the men's lawyers had predicted they would need to be paid for. She said the men received legal aid based on a financial assessment test and a second test, which granted money in the interests of justice. For example, if a person faced a charge carrying a harsh prison sentence, then it would be crucial they could afford to adequately fight the case. Brad Shipton's brother, Craig Shipton, told the Sunday Star-Times he had been told the cost of the police investigation could reach $14m. Police would not give up-to-date figures for the inquiry, which has been running for about two years. By January last year, a team of up to 59 officers had spent more than 40,000 police hours on the case. At that time, police - travelling to interview more than 2000 people -had spent more than $1m on travel and accommodation costs alone. The Star-Times estimates police wages would be well over $3m, including assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards' wages of about $400,000 while stood down for two years. Other costs are believed to include a detective who has been at Louise Nicholas' side throughout and a police telephone line installed in her Rotorua house. Police would not comment.