Shipton 'didn't confess'

Convicted rapist Brad Shipton denies he has confessed to the brutal rape of a Mt Maunganui woman, his lawyer says.

A Parole Board decision made public this weekend said it detected a change in his thinking and said his answers seemed to confirm all the ingredients of a rape. Shipton's comments to the board have been interpreted as amounting to a confession.

His lawyer, Bill Nabney, said yesterday that the board was entitled to its opinion, but Shipton maintained he was innocent of the rape charges on which he was convicted in 2005.

"He stands by the evidence that he gave at trial - namely that the sexual contact that he had with the complainant was consensual," Mr Nabney said.

Shipton had, however, had a "change of heart" after reflecting on the complainant's evidence, given at a separate hearing earlier last month, and accepted she had been devastated by the events.

Shipton, who along with fellow former police officer Bob Schollum and Tauranga businessman Peter McNamara was convicted of the 1989 rape, is three years into an 8 1/2 sentence with the board considering his early release.

Fellow rape complainant Donna Johnson, who also accused Shipton of sexual violation though no charges were laid, said she was considering a civil case.

She hoped his comments were the beginning of a full and frank confession and would watch his actions closely over the following months.

The board's decision says Shipton confirmed at the hearing that he had not asked "the complainant if it was okay to have sex with her, or for more than one person to have sex with her ..."

He also told the board that, looking back on his life, on which he had reflected in prison, it had "been full of disgraceful, disgusting behaviour".

But Mr Nabney said his client was referring to his immoral behaviour only, which included being married at the time he participated in group sex. "It was in his words despicable ... We're talking morals here, not criminal [actions]."

But the Mt Maunganui complainant said she believed Shipton's actions were designed to secure his early release.

The board has reserved its decision till September, pendinga second psychologist's report.

Louise Nicholas, who went public with rape claims against Shipton and fellow officers Bob Schollum and Clint Rickards in 2004, also wanted a "full confession", including naming a fourth man involved in group sex involving her.

"Follow through, redeem yourself so we can all put it behind us."