Pack-rape hearing resumes in secrecy

A depositions hearing into historical allegations of pack rape by one of New Zealand's highest-ranking policemen and two former police officers resumed in secrecy today with witnesses' evidence suppressed by a judge in Rotorua District Court.

Assistant Commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards, 44, faces eight charges of rape, indecent assault and sexual violation. Former policemen Bradley Keith Shipton, 47, and Robert Francis Schollum, 53, are charged with eight and four counts of rape,indecent assault and sexual violation respectively.

All three men have previously strenously denied the allegations.

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas alleges she was sexually abused in 1986, when she was 18, by the three police officers who were based in Rotorua at the time.

Judge Chris McGuire yesterday lifted supression orders preventing the reporting of details about Mrs Nicholas' allegations.

However the evidence of some witnesses and about certain details of the charges remain suppressed.

Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh is calling five witnesses to give verbal evidence before the court. Another 39, including Mrs Nicholas - who is now a 38-year-old mother of three - will be presented in written statements.

Judge McGuire today ruled the media would be given access to those statements.

- NZPA