Pair facing Nicholas case charges 'fighting on principle'

Frances Martin and Daniel Rae in Christchurch yesterday. Picture / Simon Baker

Two protesters charged with distributing leaflets containing suppressed information about the Louise Nicholas rape case are fighting the charges "as a matter of principle".

Daniel Peter Rae, 30, and Frances Hilary Martin, 22, represented themselves in the Christchurch District Court yesterday and both pleaded not guilty in brief appearances before the judge.

They face a maximum penalty of a $1000 fine if convicted of breaching the court suppression orders on April 5.

Outside the court the pair and about a dozen supporters held a vigil with a banner that read: "Louise Nicholas - We Believe You", before being ushered off the court grounds by court security guards.

Mrs Nicholas accused Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards and former police officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum of raping her, but all three were acquitted of the charges against them in a High Court trial in April.

The result outraged Mrs Nicholas' supporters and groups in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch began distributing leaflets with information related to the case that had been suppressed by the court.

Others involved in distributing the leaflets are under investigation by police.

Rickards, Shipton and Schollum are facing another trial over accusations of sexual offending against another woman in the 1980s.

Ms Martin said she and Mr Rae were defending the charges as a matter of principle and "in the belief that handing out the leaflets was the right thing to have done".

"The charge is really just a diversion from the important issues raised by the Louise Nicholas case.

"There is a public mood for a change to the way rape is treated in New Zealand and we have received widespread support for the stance that the women in Wellington and we in Christchurch took. That support has confirmed breaching the suppression orders was justified."

The pair are taking legal advice in their defence, but are yet to decide if they will have a lawyer represent them. Rae and Martin will appear again in August.