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Allegations of abuse
by NZ Police |
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peterellis homepage / police allegations / Louise
Nicholas vs John Dewar |
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Suspended police Assistant
Commissioner Clint Rickards is accusing the Crown of withholding evidence
during his historical sex charges trial. In March, Mr Rickards, Brad
Shipton and Bob Schollum were found not guilty of kidnapping and indecently
assaulting 16-year-old Louise Nicholas in Rotorua between 1983 and 1984. Now Mr Rickards has laid a
complaint the Canterbury District Law Society alleging Crown prosecutor Brent
Stanaway did not present evidence that would have been favourable to his
defence during the trial, the Herald on
Sunday reported today. The newspaper said it understood
the complaint was based on the Crown allegedly failing to disclose evidence
that could have helped Mr Rickards prove his innocence. Mr Stanaway, who could face a
fine, censure or be struck off if the allegations are proven, has vehemently
denied the charge. "I responded to the complaint
emphatically denying the matters complained of," he told the newspaper. "A decision of the complaints
committee is awaited." Mr Rickards remains suspended on
full pay pending a police investigation into whether to lay internal
disciplinary charges against him. Meanwhile, former Rotorua Criminal
Investigation Branch head John Dewar will appear in the High Court at
Hamilton on Tuesday on charges of attempting to obstruct or defeat the course
of justice in connection with the Louise Nicholas case. Dewar, who denies the charges,
investigated allegations by Mrs Nicholas that she was raped by Rickards,
Shipton and Schollum between September 1985 and December 1986. |
