SUPREME TEST

Any day now, the Supreme Court is likely to deliver its judgment on a landmark appeal. The Peter Ellis case is the first time in New Zealand that a court has been asked to make a judgment on someone after their death.

Just in case anyone needs reminding, in 1992, Ellis was charged with sexually abusing 20 young children who attended the Christchurch Civic Crèche where he worked. Four of his female co-workers were also charged. The women were discharged pre-trial, but Ellis was eventually convicted of sexually abusing seven of the children. One later recanted.

He spent almost two decades fighting to clear his name. Three guilty verdicts were quashed on appeal in 1993. However, a second appeal failed.

If the children’s original allegations were correct, there were ovens, a murder and secret passageways.

Ellis was released from prison in 2000 and died two years ago, aged 61, after battling advanced bladder