Hearing interest reflected by media turnout

Media came close to outnumbering members of the public at a pre-trial hearing for Assistant Police Commissioner Clinton Rickards and two former policemen accused of raping Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas.

Twelve journalists filled seats in an area usually occupied by jurors at the start of the depositions hearing at the Rotorua District Court yesterday.

A thirteenth journalist was seated on the opposite side of the room.

Fifteen people in the public gallery in the morning eyed the media contingent warily.

Among the five women and two men in the gallery's front row were the wives of the accused former policemen, Bradley Shipton and Robert Schollum.

Several of the men's supporters shook their heads when Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh outlined the allegations.

A depositions hearing is a preliminary hearing to determine whether a case will go to trial.

Judge Chris McGuire warned the people in the public gallery that they were to speak to no one about evidence subject to the suppression orders in the case.

The accused sat near their respective lawyers, exchanging hugs and kisses with supporters in breaks in the proceedings.

Rickards' back was to the media, revealing a scar across the lower part of his shaved head.

Shipton wore a black suit and bright tie with blue and red detail. He turned to smile at family members several times.

Schollum, also in a dark suit, requested a pen and paper during the evidence of the first witness, Mrs Nicholas' mother-in-law, Phyllis Nicholas.

He wrote intently for periods during the testimony.

Tanned but with large bags visible under his eyes, Schollum spent some of the proceeding with his head leaned against his hand.

A gold wedding band was visible on his ring finger.

The other two accused also alternated between writing and looking directly at witnesses on the stand.

Mrs Nicholas' husband, Ross Nicholas, gave evidence and avoided looking at the accused.

The evidence was read back to each witness by the court registrar, as is required in depositions hearings.