Allegations of abuse
by NZ Police |
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peterellis homepage / police allegations / Louise
Nicholas vs John Dewar |
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A district court judge has given
evidence in the High Court trial of a former police inspector accused of four
charges of attempting to obstruct the course of justice. John Dewar, 55, is accused of
covering up historical sex allegations against police officers and causing
two trials to be aborted. Judge Lesley Atkins QC, who was a
defence lawyer at the time, represented a former Murapara officer who was
accused of raping Louise Nicholas when she was 14. The first and second trials were
declared a mistrial after the Crown alleges Mr Dewar gave inadmissible
evidence. In the third trial, the former
officer, who has name suppression, was acquitted. Judge Atkins said he applied for a
mistrial after Mr Dewar told the court a friend of the accused was prepared to
tell lies at the trial. |