Allegations of abuse by NZ Police

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Rickards, Shipton, Schollum vs Jane Doe - Trial 2007

This page last updated June 2 2007


The plaster-cast false allegation case

The complainant's name is suppressed.

Clint Rickard's defence was that he had never met the woman. An extremely strong defence, for if it was not true, the chance of Rickards being discredited would have been very high.

Clint Rickards also had a plaster cast on during the time that the woman said she had a relationship with him. She never remembered seeing him in plaster.

The woman's credibility was lost.
All three men accused were found NOT GUILTY.

Page 1 Feb 19-25 2007 Trial Week 1	Pre trial publicity Jury selected, case opens Complainant gives evidence Cross examination of complainant Rickards claimed that police interview was an unfair ambush Clint Rickards gives evidence in his own defence Rickards under cross examination Steve McDowell, Sharon Shipton, testify for defence Opinion - Police will be biggest loser
Page 2 Feb 26 - March 1 2007 Trial Week 2	Sharon Shipton gives evidence Christine Filer contradicts some of previous evidence Crown gives closing address Defence give closing addresses Judge sums up and jury retires
Page 3 March 1 2007	Verdict - NOT GUILTY Police Reaction Schollum and Shipton revealed as serving sentence for rape Initial reaction
Page 4 March 2 2007	Way clear for report Police Conduct Commission of Inquiry Louise Nicholas, Rape Crisis comment Clint Rickards comments outside Court reported Chch District Court Vandalism; Anti Rickards campaign on line Should jury have known two accused were already in jail? Jury knew two of the accused were already in jail Should Clint Rickards get his job back? Police Complaints Authority to scrutinise rape allegations Rickards criticised for voicing his belief of Shipton, Schollum's innocence Time issues on rape trials under scrutiny Dominion Post publishes Chronology
Page 5 March 3-4 2007	New (non criminal) claims against Rickards may affect job negotiations Further debate over jury not being told of Shipton Schollum convictions Court of Appeal stopped two rape trials being heard together Rickards legal defence discussed Costs of Operation Austin Prime Minister reveals she knew of historical allegations against Rickards Comments by John Haigh on group sex scrutinised Louise Nicholas accused of vendetta Clint Rickards tells his story
Page 6 March 5-6 2007	Political pressure mounting to sack Clint Rickards Support for Clint Rickards Law expert claims Prime Minister is undermining the jury system Suppression of evidence issues Police claim their reputation suffering because of sex trial Poster campaign against the police
Page 7 March 7-9 2007	Anti police backlash Rickards support of Shipton and Schollum questioned Continuing debate over suppressed evidence in trial NZ First MP believes political comment on employment inappropriate Clint Rickards appeals for funding from Police Managers Guild Lawyers present arguments for and against reinstatement Protests in Wellington and Auckland about rape Call for tougher sentences for false rape claims Prime Minister attack on Rickards noted Selective morality of Hubbard and Prime Minister highlighted