|
Allegations of abuse
by NZ Police |
|
|
peterellis
Home / police allegations / Rickards,
Shipton, Schollum vs Jane Doe Page 2 - 2007 Trial of Rickards,
Shipton, Schollum Week 2 |
|
|
The cousin of Brad Shipton's wife
has given evidence which contradicts the former police officer's alibi after
being flown in from Australia to take the stand. Brad Shipton, Bob Schollum and
suspended assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards are on trial for
kidnapping and indecent assault dating back more than 20 years in Rotorua. Sharon Shipton's cousin Christine
Filer has told the court she cannot recall Sharon and Brad Shipton staying
with her in Wanganui for a month in 1984. Mrs Shipton earlier told the court
that was the case. However, Christine Filer says she would remember a visit
of that length. She also claims Mrs Shipton called her last week and told her
she didn't have to answer any questions from police and it was best she
stayed away on holiday. It comes after Mrs Shipton broke
down on the witness stand this morning, likening her husband's trial to
something from a mad movie. She was recalled by the Crown this morning after
appearing yesterday, when she told the court she did not lie to cover for her
husband. Crown prosecutor Brent Stanaway
accused Mrs Shipton of calling her cousin in Australia and asking her to lie
about the holiday. Mr Stanaway also accused her of asking her cousin to stay
in Perth away from her home in Brisbane so that police could not track her
down. Mrs Shipton then burst into tears
saying "as God strikes me down, I did not say such a thing." Brad Shipton also wiped away tears
as his wife sobbed and said "I swear on my own daughter's life I'm
telling the truth." Mrs Shipton is a project leader at
the Ministry of Justice in Wellington and is the only witness called in
defence of her husband. Shipton will not give evidence. |
