Leading policeman in court on sex charges

L-R: Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton, Robert Schollum

Three current and former policemen accused of the sexual assault of Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas were due back in court today for pre trial applications to be heard.

The men, assistant commissioner Clinton John Tukotahi Rickards and former officers Bradley Keith Shipton and Robert Francis Schollum, will go to trial in March.
Today's hearing in the High Court in Auckland was in chambers, meaning it cannot be reported other than to say the pre-trial applications were being heard.

Justice Randerson earlier ruled it would be prejudicial to the trial if the pre-trial applications were given publicity.

The trial in the High Court at Auckland is expected to last three weeks.

The accused face 20 charges dating back to 1986 when the three were working as police officers in Rotorua.

All three deny the allegations.

- NZPA