A Rotorua woman who claims she was pack-raped almost 20 years ago by three policemen felt "powerless" against them because of their positions, Rotorua District Court has been told. The officers include two former Hawke's Bay policemen and one who went on to became one of New Zealand's highest ranking
officers,
Louise Nicholas, now a 38-year-old mother of three, claims she was sexually abused by the three officers in 1986 when they were all based at Rotorua police station.
Assistant Commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards, 44, (who once worked in Hastings) and former police officers Bradley Keith Shipton, 47, and Robert Francis Schollum, 53, (a one-time sergeant in Napier) are facing a total of 20 charges of rape, indecent assault and unlawful sexual violation.
There are extensive suppression orders around the case. Judge Chris McGuire opened a depositions hearing at Rotorua District Court yesterday by relaxing an earlier suppression order which prevented the publication of any details about Mrs Nicholas' allegations.
Mrs Nicholas' husband Ross Nicholas and mother-in-law Phyllis Nicholas yesterday told the court they knew the police officers had been visiting the then 18-year-old woman at her flat.
Phyllis Nicholas said Mrs Nicholas was taking many days off work at the time and on one occasion she found her doubled up in pain.
Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh told the court Mrs Nicholas had met Schollum years earlier through a family friend who had introduced her to Rickards and Shipton.
"Mrs Nicholas didn't consider Rickards and Shipton to be friends."
However, the two became regular visitors to Mrs Nicholas' home for the sole purpose of having sexual intercourse with her, he said.
"Although she told them she did not want to have sex, because Rickards and Shipton were police officers, combined with their physical presence, she felt powerless to reject their sexual advances."
The pair went to her house between six and 12 times and each had sex with her against her will, Mr Zarifeh said.
On another occasion, all three had sex with her, Mr Zarifeh said.
The hearing continues today.
