Revealed: Louise Nicholas accused face sex trial over new woman

Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum

The three men acquitted of the rape of Louise Nicholas face another trial this year in relation to alleged sexual offending against another woman.

Assistant Police Commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards and former police officers Bradley Keith Shipton and Robert Francis Schollum are alleged to have committed the crimes during the 1980s.

The Herald supported the right of the public to know about the second trial before the High Court.

In a reserved judgement, revealed this afternoon, Justice Tony Randerson allowed the Herald and other media to report limited details about the case.

The complainant, who has name suppression, is a different woman from Louise Nicholas. Mrs Nicholas' allegations of rape were considered by a High Court jury in Auckland in March.

The jury in that case found the three men not guilty on a series of historic charges of sexual violation and indecent assault against Mrs Nicholas.

The acquittals set off a storm of protest, with one women's group distributing court-suppressed information about the three accused.

Extensive suppression orders surrounding the Louise Nicholas case and the upcoming High Court case remain in force.

* Tomorrow's New Zealand Herald will carry more details about the case.