Hoaxer impeded Nicholas inquiry, police say

A hoaxer who claimed in letters to police and to the widow of slain Puketitiri farmer Jack Nicholas that he could solve the murder may have prevented police from getting vital, more relevant, information.

Operation Kaweka inquiry chief Detective Sergeant Dan Foley of Napier CIB said the hoaxer, who had also sent letters to the officers in charge of two other high profile police investigations over the past nine months, had led police away from good avenues of inquiry into "blind alleys".

Mr Foley said he had been approached by some people who, in the wake of hearing about the letters from a man claiming to have the identity of the killer, had told him they thought the inquiry was effectively wrapped up.

"They believed we did not need any more information."

Apart from the financial cost of wasted police time that was the real cost to the inquiry, Mr Foley said.

The emotional cost to the Nicholas family had also been high.

Police had established that among many letters written to Mrs Nicholas, some of condolence and some with theories, one was from the serial hoaxer.

He claimed he had information that could solve the case.

Mr Foley described the hoaxer as "cruel and callous" in sending the letter to Mrs Nicholas.

The first letter from the hoaxer arrived early in the inquiry, and like other correspondence was collated and recorded, although police soon established it was from someone "getting his jollies" from becoming involved in high profile cases.

His next letter was to Mrs Nicholas, and then they stopped...until it was announced a reward was being offered for information leading to the killer's prosecution.

The hoaxer, as well as calling the Sensible Sentencing Trust's Garth McVicar by phone, also wrote two letters, in which he sought the $50,000 reward on offer, in exchange for immunity from prosecution as he claimed he was an accessory.

Police made further checks and concluded, through phrases used and other signs, that it was the work of the hoaxer.

Mr McVicar said when the man first phoned he hoped he may provide the "bit of the jigsaw puzzle we needed".

When it was established the man was a hoaxer Mr McVicar said he was "gutted".

"This is just a diversion and an absolute waste of police time, and it causes havoc within the family and Jack's wider circle of friends," he said.

Mr Foley said police would like to find the hoaxer as he clearly had "issues".

He said though the person was not able to help police they may be able to help him.

"We are still appealing for any snippet of information anyone may have in relation to Jack's death," he said.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY