Judges wrong says ex-detective

By EUGENE BINGHAM

Former Detective Inspector John Dewar has rejected criticism levelled at him by two judges over his handling of the Louise Nicholas sex allegations.

Judges Michael Lance and Philip Evans criticised Mr Dewar's conduct in court documents made public this week after 10-year-old suppression orders were lifted.

The judges' comments were made in 1994 when a former policeman was cleared of sex allegations made by Mrs Nicholas after three trials.

Mr Dewar issued a statement through his lawyer yesterday saying the criticisms were not put to him at the time, and he did not have an opportunity to explain his position.

"He will explain his position in the appropriate forum," said the statement.

"Dewar did his duty and will continue to do his duty and denies any wrongdoing. He looks forward to the commission of inquiry."

The commission, headed by Justice Bruce Robertson and Dame Margaret Bazley, is to look at Mrs Nicholas' allegation that she was pack-raped by three policemen and that her complaint was covered up.

After the third trial, Mr Dewar's actions were criticised by Judge Lance, who said that Mrs Nicholas' allegations "should have triggered alarm bells that would have permanently silenced Big Ben no matter how vague in terms of time ... or place".

"Even more surprising than the failure to record [the allegations] is the officer's deliberate advice ... not to make a statement," the judge said.

The commission said yesterday that it expected to hold its first public meeting in Wellington on March 22 and called for people wanting to make submissions or provide information to contact it.