Woman tells of Dewar, Shipton threesome

A woman today told a court she had group sex with former Rotorua policemen John Dewar and Brad Shipton, contradicting claims by Dewar that he never had more than a working relationship with Shipton.

The woman, who has permanent name suppression, gave evidence in the High Court in Hamilton where Dewar faces four charges of attempting to obstruct or defeat the course of justice between 1993 and 1995.

Dewar was chief inspector of the Rotorua CIB when Louise Nicholas approached police in 1993 with two historic sex allegations, including those against suspended assistant commissioner Clint Rickards and former policemen Shipton and Bob Schollum.

The crown alleges Dewar suppressed allegations Mrs Nicholas made against the three men and attempted to prevent the course of justice during the rape trial of a former policeman, who has permanent name suppression, by giving inadmissible evidence.

Mrs Nicholas alleged the man had sexually assaulted her, then aged 13, which led to two mistrials before a third trial acquitted him.

Today a woman told the court how she had a sexual relationship in the late 1980s with Shipton and on one occasion, at Shipton's invitation, Dewar also joined in a group sex session with them.

The woman told the court she had met Shipton when he was the constable in charge of the investigation into the death of her husband in an accident.

Shipton had been "very professional" at first but a sexual relationship soon developed.

The relationship, which began in 1983, led to at least six sexual encounters at her home before it was broken off and then was resumed again in 1986.

The woman said this led to Shipton introducing Mr Rickards to her at her home in 1987, and the three took part in group sex sessions on at least six occasions.

She said she recognised Mr Rickards from media articles because he had represented New Zealand in judo.

The woman said there were other group sex sessions, including in late 1987 or early 1988 when Shipton arrived at her house with a man who was introduced to her as John Dewar.

Shipton, who had arrived uninvited, described Dewar as his "friend and boss", she said.

The woman said that night the three had sex in her bedroom of her Rotorua home.

Dewar appeared "hesitant" at first and Shipton "made comments to encourage him", she said.

The woman said she had never met Dewar before but had seen a newspaper article on him.

Sex occurred with Dewar, without Shipton, on one other occasion, she said.

The woman came forward after she saw a 2004 TV3 interview where Dewar said he had no close personal relationship with Shipton.

In the interview, which was played for the jury, Dewar challenged anyone who could prove otherwise to come forward.

The woman said she was "angry and shocked" when she saw the interview.

"I knew it to be an incorrect statement.

"I had seen him in a close and personal relationship" with Shipton, she said.

The woman said after discussing with her family and friends what to do, she had a friend leave a message on Mrs Nicholas' phone.

She used the friend to contact Mrs Nicholas, who she had never met, so "I would not be accused of making up the story."

The woman was then approached by a TV One reporter, who interviewed her, hiding her identity, which was broadcast.

About two weeks later she made a statement to police and was "worried about my safety" if she came forward.

The woman told crown prosecutor Brent Stanaway she "definitely challenged" the comments Dewar made in the interview, saying Dewar definitely knew Shipton in a close and personal way.

Under cross-examination, defence lawyer Paul Mabey QC said the woman had got "the wrong man" after so many years had passed.

"I'm telling you that on both nights at my house he was definitely that man sitting there," she replied indicating to Dewar in the court.

Mr Mabey said "whatever the truth is Mr Dewar has never been to your house and has never had anything to do with you at all."

"That's definitely not correct," she replied.

Mr Mabey said in May of 1988 Shipton had left Rotorua and was living in Tauranga.

When asked if she knew that in late 1987 and early 1988 Dewar was not Shipton's boss the woman said she had not known that at the time.

The woman said she could only repeat what Shipton told her: "I don't know if what he said was true."

Mr Mabey questioned whether the newspaper article the woman claimed to have seen before she met Dewar, existed.

The article could not be found, he said.

The trial continues tomorrow.

- NZPA