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Page 2 - 2007 Trial of Rickards, Shipton, Schollum Week 2

 





Newstalk ZB
February 27 2007; 15:08

Crown labels defence "a pack of lies"

 




Rickards, Schollum, Shipton - NZ Herald








The prosecution has closed its case against the suspended Assistant Police Commissioner and two former police officers by describing the evidence presented on the men's behalf as a pack of lies.

Clint Richards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum are on trial for kidnapping and indecent assault dating back more than 20 years in Rotorua.

Today the cousin of Brad Shipton's wife gave evidence which contradicts the former police officer's alibi after being flown in from Australia to take the stand.

Christine Filer 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.

In his closing address prosecutor Brent Stanaway called the alleged assault vile. He says the complainant was just 16-years-old and assaulted by burly policemen in a small town where police were held in high regard. Mr Stanaway told the jury the three accused "have cooked up a pack of lies to help their case" and it needs to see passed them.