3 officers accused of sexual offences

Evidence of sexual offences alleged to have been committed by one of New Zealand's highest-ranking police officers and two former policemen will be presented in Rotorua District Court next week.

But suppression orders made by Judge Chris McGuire in the same court yesterday prevent the media from reporting details of the case.

Assistant Commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards, Bradley Keith Shipton and Robert Francis Schollum are alleged to have committed sexual offences against Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas.

All three men have previously strenuously denied the allegations.

Ahead of a depositions hearing starting on Monday, Judge McGuire reinforced previous suppression orders by saying the media must not publish the number of charges the three men face or their details.

He made several suppression orders, which cannot be reported, but said Mrs Nicholas had either consented or requested that her name be published so the media could report the defendants were facing "a number of charges alleging sexual offences".

Although the hearing is set down for two weeks, it is expected to be over within a week, as only eight of about 50 witnesses are due to present their evidence verbally in court.

The other witnesses, including Mrs Nicholas, will give their evidence by written statement. Complainants in sex cases are legally protected against being required to give evidence in court twice.

- NZPA