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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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Allegations of indecent
assault against a Kapiti teacher spread their ripples far beyond the accused,
the complainants and their families. Sophie Neville reports on reaction to
yesterday's not guilty verdicts. -------------------- A close-knit Kapiti
community is in "recovery mode" after being rocked by allegations
of indecent assault against a popular and respected teacher. Family and friends of
48-year-old Michael Neville, found not guilty yesterday of indecent assault
charges against former pupils, are calling for answers into how the claims
were investigated. For 18 months, Mr
Neville's family and friends watched in disbelief as their father, brother,
son and uncle's life was turned upside down by the allegations. Four girls, now aged
between 10 and 14, had claimed they were indecently assaulted by Mr Neville
at the school, which cannot be named to protect the girls' identities,
between 1999 and 2003. Two claimed Mr Neville touched their genitals; two
others said he touched their buttocks, stomachs or lower backs. Eighteen months after
the first allegation was made, a jury in Palmerston North District Court
found Mr Neville not guilty of all four charges after an eight-day trial. The verdict shattered
the mother of the first complainant, but was a relief for Mr Neville's 50 or
so supporters. The complainant's
mother had not told her daughter the outcome of the court case when The
Dominion Post spoke to her late yesterday afternoon. She was nervous about
her reaction. "She will be devastated. We're just going to have to try
to pick up the pieces now." The past 18 months have
been traumatic for the family, especially faced with the large group of
Neville supporters, she says. "We live in a small community so it's
going to be hell. But we've got nothing to hide or be ashamed of." She would always
believe her daughter, despite the not guilty verdict. Many of Mr Neville's
supporters, including parents of his former pupils, had been in court since
day one and were unwavering in their belief in the former motorcycle
mechanic's innocence. Some drove from Taupo, Eketahuna and Mr Neville's parents,
Arthur and Audrey, sat each day in the front row of the public gallery, and
say they never lost faith in their son. Fifty-five years earlier, they had
married at the courthouse. Arthur Neville says
watching their son suffer was especially tough for his wife, who was nearly
80. As a baby, her son had
been sick and Mrs Neville had to take him to hospital every few days for
blood transfusions. This time, there was nothing she could do to help him.
"She just really wanted to be able to save him again, but she couldn't
do anything. It's very tough for a mother." Mr Neville's wife,
Adele, and most of their six children from their previous marriages were also
at court each day. Daughter Katrina
Neville, 28, described the 18 months as a living hell. She remembers the day
her father told her about the girls' complaints: "My first reaction was
it must be a joke. It was just unbelievable. But then it spiralled." Her father has "an
incredible gift" with children, she says, and she never doubted his
innocence. "I know my dad and I just knew there was no way. But I have
also seen him teach in the classroom and interact with these kids and he's
just amazing. He has devoted his life to teaching. He is so passionate about
it." The family were sure
the police would investigate the claims and realise there was no truth in
them, she says. No one would have predicted an eight-day trial. Friends of the family
and parents of Mr Neville's current and former pupils were equally confident
throughout. One parent says: "If we ever had any doubt, or any flicker
that anything could possibly be wrong, we would have known. This is just odd.
We just can't believe it can be happening." Before a jury of 10
women and two men, the court watched video interviews with the four girls.
The girls and their mothers were questioned by the prosecution and the
defence. Mr Neville gave evidence, as well as 16 witnesses called by the
defence. As the days dragged on,
Mr Neville's supporters remained stoic. But by the end of the trial the
stress was beginning to show. Tears and frustration were common in the long
corridor outside the courtroom. When the verdict
finally came, almost 24 hours after the jury began their deliberation, the
relief was almost tangible. "I've got my man
and my life back," wife Adele says. "We have really felt like we've
aged through this. But this verdict has taken years off. We're now free.
Thank God." Mr Neville's brother
Tony questions how an innocent man can get "dragged" into a trial
when there was so little evidence against him. The police handling of
the case was "a witch-hunt", he says, and he was disgusted that a
free-call hotline was set up to "encourage" others to complain.
"The police seemed to say, you're a paedophile and that's it. This needs
to be looked at because I'm sure others have been wrongly accused in the past
as well." Detective Sergeant
Peter Govers of Horowhenua CIB says the
investigation was carried out in a professional and thorough manner by child
abuse officers. He would not comment further. Mr Neville and his wife
say the unwavering support of family and friends kept them going. "The
support was amazing. I've had letters, e-mails, even a phone call from an old
student in The complainants are no
longer at the school, and Mr Neville says he is looking forward to being back
at work for the start of next year. "I'm still passionate about my
profession. I really do look forward to getting back in the classroom." The chairman of the
school board of trustees refused to comment on the outcome of the case or
whether Mr Neville, who has been suspended, would be taken back. * Sophie Neville is not
related to Michael Neville. -------------------- CAPTION: Joy and relief: Michael
Neville, centre, surrounded by relieved family and friends, including brother
Tony, left, father and mother Arthur and Audrey, and wife Adele, right. Tony
Neville described the police handling of the case as a witch-hunt. Picture: Kent Blechynden |
