OMINOUS MUSIC Captions by Pippa Jefferies and Desney Shaw. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2014 GRIM MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 What's wrong, Lou? Nothing. Ross is worried about you. We're all worried. MUSIC CONTINUES (SNIFFS) Nah, I'm good. Swear to God. MUSIC CONTINUES (SOBS) MUSIC CONTINUES SEAGULLS SQUAWK, BRAKES HISS (BREATHES SHAKILY) There ya go. Doesn't matter what it is. If it's pills or dope, some other guy. You're not gonna like it. WAVES ROAR, SEAGULLS SQUAWK GRIM MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES BRAKES HISS MUSIC SWELLS MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC FADES Did you ask her? Fucking kidding me. (PANTS) Fucking kidding me. (PANTS) Just calm down, love. Fucking kidding me. (PANTS) Just calm down, love. What? Calm down?! Just calm down. Just calm down. Fucking calm down?! Why didn't I know? Why?! Jim! You're not helping, sweetheart. You're not helping, sweetheart. Oh, helping? No, you're not helping. No, you're not helping. You're a great help, aren't you?! No, you're not helping. You're a great help, aren't you?! Jim! Jim! GRIM MUSIC We're all just trying to work out what the best way forward is. We're all just trying to work out what the best way forward is. Oh, for God's sake. Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you say anything? VOICE BREAKS: Because I'm ashamed. It's not you that should be ashamed, hon. It's not you. For fuck's sake. For fuck's sake. Shh. Hey, Jess. Hey, Jess. Hey. Hey, Jess. Hey. Was it a bad dream? Come on. I'll tuck ya in. GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES So, what do you wanna do? Dad? MUSIC SWELLS You should go the bastards. MUSIC CONTINUES We'll stand by you. But it's up to you ` you and Ross. MUSIC FADES BIRDS CHIRP Detective Inspector. Detective Inspector. Hello. Morning, sir. Morning, sir. Do you have those papers? Morning, sir. Do you have those papers? Here, sir. Great. Put them on my desk. PHONES RING IN DISTANCE Please take a seat. Let me get that for you. Let me get that for you. Thank you. So, I'm Detective Inspector John Dewar, but please call me John. Am I allowed to smoke? Not in the interview, I'm afraid. But if you need to take a break at any time... Well, should we begin? TENSE MUSIC BIRDS CHIRP I grew up in Murapara. I loved the place. Had my horse Dolly, the run of the town and the most amazing countryside all around ` everything a kid could wish for. With the Ureweras close by, there were always choppers going down or hunters getting lost, so Mum and Dad got involved with Search & Rescue. It was exciting. Mum kept the log, and Dad did the phone calls, got the volunteers out. He built the trailer too. He was real proud of that. He kept it at the cop shop. Well done, mate. Good work. Well done, mate. Good work. Good work. Good work. Good work. Top stuff, Jim. Good work. Top stuff, Jim. Yep, good work. Oh, here's trouble. Come to get Dad? He's inside. Yeah, come on. Jim. Jim. Mum wants you to start the barbie. Jim. Mum wants you to start the barbie. Might need a beer first. Did someone say 'beer'? Did someone say 'beer'? Oh yes, please. Did someone say 'beer'? Oh yes, please. Here ya go. That's for your dad. Uh! Underage. Look at Trev. Looks like the debrief's at your place, Jimmy. Tell Mum the gang's on its way, eh? Tell Mum the gang's on its way, eh? Yep. Good work. PEOPLE CHATTER Gangway! PEOPLE CHEER, CHATTER KIDS CHATTER OUTSIDE, DRAGON'S 'APRIL SUN IN CUBA' PLAYS PEOPLE CHATTER # I'm tired of the city life. # Summer's on the run. # People tell me I should stay, # but I got to get my sun. # So don't try and hold me back. # Ain't nothing you can say. # Ain't nothing you can say. Busted. (LAUGHS) Got one for me? Got one for me? No. Smoke your own. Got one for me? No. Smoke your own. Pfft. You know it stunts your growth. You know it stunts your growth. Hasn't stunted yours. # Take me to the April sun in Cuba. Hope your dad doesn't catch us. He'd get down the .303 and bloody nail me. # Take me where the April sun's gonna treat me # so right. # # Ooh, blue lady. Come on. Thanks, hon. # Ooh, blue lady. I want a word with you. You're overcharging. 80c an hour? That's going rate for babysitting. That's going rate for babysitting. It's burglary. What do you need the money for, anyway? When I leave school. I'm gonna travel. Yeah, that's what I was gonna do, but I got up the duff instead. Then I'm gonna be a vet. Then I'm gonna be a vet. Don't have kids, then. > Travel, my arse. You blow it all on smokes. Trev told me. Don't tell Dad. Don't tell Dad. No worries. BIRDS CHIRP Hey, Lou! Come here. I wanna show you something. Come here. I wanna show you something. I've gotta go to work. Won't take long. Come on. What is it? What is it? It's a surprise. It's in the meal room. Where? Where? (UNZIPS PANTS) Here. Ever seen one of these before? Ever seen one of these before? No. Bet you have. What about your brothers? Bet you've seen theirs. Touch it. Touch it. I don't want to. Yes, you do. Yes, you do. Don't! Don't! Stop! Don't! Stop! It's just me. You can trust me. I don't want to. Please! I don't want to. Please! Shh. It's me. Please stop! It's just me. It's just me. I don't want to. It's just me. I don't want to. Just me. There we go. Stop! No! Please stop! Please let me go. Are you a tease? WHISPERS: It'll only take a minute. BIRDS CHIRP, CAR APPROACHES FEEDBACK WHINES OMINOUS MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 DRIPS ECHO OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES DISTORTED: Your old man did good, eh? Fancy a feed of pork? DISTORTED MUSIC OMINOUS MUSIC DRIPS ECHO DRIPS ECHO How old were you, Louise? (SIGHS) 13. > Was it just the once? Was it just the once? No. It kept on. He used to ring up and, uh, ask if Louise could babysit, and I always said yes. Yeah. He'd come home, say he forgot his wallet or something. His kids were just down the hall. Did you ever try to fight him off or stop him? He was a policeman. DOOR BUZZES Hey, Trevor? Hey, Trevor? Yeah? Hey, Trevor? Yeah? Can you talk to Jeff? Shit, Lou. Shit, Lou. Tell him to stop. I can't. He-He's senior to me. Just try and keep out of his way. WOMEN CHATTER, LAUGH Look who's here. Guess what, love? Guess what, love? What? We're off to Rotorua. We're off to Rotorua. Jeff's been promoted. Great! Great! And we want you to come with us. As a boarder, help with the kids. OMINOUS MUSIC What about school? What about school? Oh, you'll still go to school, silly! > Rotorua Girls'. Apparently, it's excellent. > Rotorua Girls'. Apparently, it's excellent. > Fantastic opportunity. Thank you. > WOMEN SPEAK AT ONCE > WOMEN SPEAK AT ONCE > Say thank you, Lou. Oh. Oh, sorry. (LAUGHS) DOOR SLAMS DOOR SLAMS Talk about it later. DOOR SLAMS Talk about it later. I think we just sprung on her a bit. And what about the school? That's a great chance for you. And what about the school? That's a great chance for you. I like it where I am. I thought you wanted to travel. This is travel. If you want to be a vet, you have to go to varsity. MUFFLED: You'd be the first in the family. Make your old man proud. OMINOUS MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES BIRDS CHIRP EERIE MUSIC This is you in here. Hey? Get it set up. MUSIC CONTINUES Put the knife down. Put the knife down. Here you go. Have some more of these. Have some more of these. Have some carrots. Yummy, love them. Yummy, love them. I haven't even ate any. Yummy, love them. I haven't even ate any. Well, eat them all up. EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES (SOBS QUIETLY) Go away. THUNDER RUMBLES MUSIC CONTINUES Mum, can I please come home? I just don't like it here. She's out all the time. The boys are down. See ya. No, I hate the school! VOICE CRACKS: I miss everybody. I just wanna come home. (SOBS) (SOBS) (GRUNTS) EERIE MUSIC Jeff? She's doing it again. Where is she going? Where is she going? Relax. She's got a boyfriend. How do you know? How do you know? She told me. Said not to tell you. CRIES: Please just let me come home. I'm disappointed in you. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) Too dumb for Roto-roota Girls, eh? Couldn't hack it in the big smoke? Too dumb for Roto-roota Girls, eh? Couldn't hack it in the big smoke? Nah. KIDS CHATTER IN DISTANCE SOUND DISTORTS TYPEWRITERS CLACK TENSE MUSIC (SNIFFS) MOURNFUL MUSIC Are you in some sort of trouble, Louise? (SNIFFS) Don't tell Mum. MOURNFUL MUSIC Barb. I'm sorry about this, Trev. I'm sorry about this, Trev. I'm sorry too. Is there anyone else here? Is there anyone else here? Yeah. Yeah, Jeff's come over. DOOR OPENS, SHUTS This is awkward, Barb. I know, Jeff. Louise has talked to a teacher at school, and they had to call me and` Louise has talked to a teacher at school, and they had to call me and` I know. Trev rang me. I told Denise straight away, and I have to tell you, she's really pissed off. She sent you this. Read it out. Trev, you witness it. READS: 'Dear, Barbara. I am beyond disgusted with the things Louise is saying. 'I welcomed her into my home, and now I feel I have been slapped in the face. 'Louise has a vivid imagination, or else she's a dirty little liar.' (CRIES) I think you get the hang of it. Did you know Lou was sneaking out at night when she lived with us? Did you know Lou was sneaking out at night when she lived with us? No. > Well, you do now. I reckon she was scared she was up the duff, wanted someone to pin it on. You didn't defend me. You didn't defend me. I couldn't defend you. You didn't defend me. I couldn't defend you. Well, I never knew about that. (SIGHS) I didn't... say anything about the letter. She just told me she'd spoken to Trev, and he was behind Jeff` She just told me she'd spoken to Trev, and he was behind Jeff` There was nowhere to go. What about your husband? What about your husband? No way. If I'd told Dad, he would've gone after Jeff with a shotgun. If I'd told Dad, he would've gone after Jeff with a shotgun. We... We both agreed that Jim couldn't handle it. (SIGHS) We let it drop. Louise, what you've told me about is statutory rape. Do you want to press charges? It's not just this. It's all the other stuff too. When I was 18` When I was 18` Look, I think we should leave it here for today. You look exhausted. You take a break now. I'll get this typed up, and we can proceed, OK? TENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES I'll do the rest. He's the top guy. He's the head of the CIB. That's the Criminal Investigation Branch. Yeah, I know what it is. It's action. Far out. I dunno. What don't you know? What I'm in for, basically. Well, what does that mean? Just the other night. You know, when you told us, there were some things that... Well, it just wasn't that clear, missus. (SIGHS) Jesus. I don't need this. I've had the third degree today already. BABY CRIES You said I should do this. Do you want me to call it off? BABY CONTINUES CRYING TENSE MUSIC DOOR CLOSES > I'm sorry. They just told me you were here. There are some other things I wanna say. About Stigley? About Stigley? No, about three other cops. Bob Schollum, Brad Shipton and Clint Rickards. These are similar matters? These are similar matters? Yes. Well, how about lunch? Now? Now? Well, it's a lot nicer than sitting in here. Then you can say what you have to say, and I can pick up the cheque. Then you can say what you have to say, and I can pick up the cheque. Are you sure that's OK? I'm the boss, and I say it's OK. It's fine. Do you like steak? PEOPLE CHATTER It's hard. Cos there's black holes in my mind, things I don't wanna remember. That's perfectly understandable, Louise. Like Corlett St. I was flatting with a girl from work, and those guys... they used to come round and treat me like a piece of meat. The men you named to me? The men you named to me? No, just Shipton and Rickards. Bob didn't come to the flat. The thing that happened at Rutland St, Bob was in on that. He was the ringleader. What are we talking about here, Louise? My secret. I haven't told anybody. OMINOUS MUSIC NO AUDIO MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 MUSIC FADES I'm sorry. I'm sorry that happened to you. CAR APPROACHES Are they your kids? Yeah. Jess and Kerriann. You know what I say to them? If a policeman stops you, run away. Don't get in his car. That's very sad. ALL CHATTER TENSE MUSIC You were in Murupara for a bit, weren't you? A while back? '81? Yeah, me and Jeff and Trev. Jeff Stigley? Jeff Stigley? Yeah, good cop. We were a great team. Got into heaps of fights, locked up heaps of offenders, yeah. TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES How was he on the personal side? How'd you mean? Look, Jeff's a mate. Protect your mates? Protect your mates? Yeah, that's right. So, these allegations from Louise Nicholas. You think they're credible? TENSE MUSIC I'd have to say yes. Yeah, well, I'm not saying anything against him. > Even if he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl? TENSE MUSIC SWELLS No comment. MUSIC CONTINUES NO AUDIO PHONE RINGS Oh my God. Oh my God! TENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence you are about to give touching the matter now before the courts shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I do. HOPEFUL MUSIC Louise, how old were you when you had your first sexual experience with Mr Stigley? 13. Recall the first occasion. Uh,... it was the end of 1980, beginning of 1981. I had to walk past the police station. Jeff leaned out the window, and he asked me to come in, so I went in through the side entrance. And, um,... he locked the door behind me. And I was` I was` I was there in the meal room. In the police station? > GRIM MUSIC So... (CRIES) he looked at my vagina. Then, um` Then he put my legs up over his shoulders, and he put his penis inside me, and I just... Oh, I was just in so much pain. Oh, that was just... I was in hell. I mean, that was just absolute hell. No further questions, Your Honour. < You weren't sexually molested in any way whilst you were with the Stigleys in Rotorua, were you? Yes, I was. And these things were happening to you frequently? Yes, they were. Yes, they were. < And you didn't want them to? Yes, they were. < And you didn't want them to? No, I did not. Was there a lock on the bathroom? Not that I can recall. Not that I can recall. < Was there a lock on your bedroom door? Well, it was a sliding door. Um, no, there was not a lock on it, no. < Evidence will be given that both of the doors had locks on them. < Evidence will be given that both of the doors had locks on them. Well, not that I recall. < Do you recall ever looking to see if there was a way you could lock the door to the bathroom or the bedroom to prevent things happening? Not that I recall, no. Thank you, Your Honour. No further questions. OMINOUS MUSIC ALL SPEAK INDISTINCTLY MUSIC CONTINUES DISTORTED: Any statement or fact that can assist with the inquiry. You made that very clear. He made himself a difficult situation when he, I guess, joined forces with the Crawfords, who he became close friends with. VOICE DISTORTS > Objection! Hearsay. Clear the court. Counsel will see me in chambers. PEOPLE MURMUR Here we go. The judge aborted the trial. What? What? What does that mean? Stigley's lawyer complained about our evidence. Did I say something wrong? Did I say something wrong? Not at all. It's just... legal nitpicking. So that's it? The bastard gets off? So that's it? The bastard gets off? No way. We'll get another trial. S-So I have to say all that again? This is bullshit. This is bullshit! How am I gonna tell Ross? I'll explain it to him. Look, why don't you bring him round for dinner? To your place? To your place? Please. It's the least I can do. OMINOUS MUSIC 1 CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS You'd be on a fat salary, then? Well, I am well remunerated, Ross, yeah. I am running the Armed Offenders Squad and CIB. Yeah? Yeah? Shall we? CLASSICAL MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING (SIGHS) Thank you, dear. Oh, this look tasty. MUSIC CONTINUES What's that? That is cabbage. Oh, never knew it came in two colours. Well, you learn something every day. Here's to you, Louise. And the right verdict next time. And the right verdict next time. Yeah. MUSIC CRESCENDOS Well, that was weird. You were so rude. I was rude? Poking the food, not talking to him. Poking the food, not talking to him. He bloody ignored me. And what was the story with his wife? And what was the story with his wife? Yeah, that was weird. You reckon? She knows what's going on, if you ask me. What is going on, Ross? What is going on, Ross? It's like you're in love with him. What is going on, Ross? It's like you're in love with him. That is such crap. Jesus. 'Yes, John. No, John. Three bags full, John.' 'Yes, John. No, John. Three bags full, John.' You're making a dick of yourself. Of all the cops I've ever met, he's the only one who hasn't tried to screw me! How many have there been? I've told you. I've told you. No, you haven't. > You've kept it loose. No detail. > You wouldn't want detail. But you tell it to him. You're my husband. I don't want anyone else. Then why don't you touch me? You don't put your arms round me. You don't kiss me. I want to. I want my wife back. I want this to be over. And then you say that actual sexual intercourse ` full sexual intercourse ` took place? Yes. On a table in a police station in the middle of the day. No one came to the door? No. No. There was no time when Mr Stigley did anything to you either in the shower or anywhere else, was there? Was there, Mrs Nicholas? Now, during the course of the 1980s, did you make a claim that... > a number of police officers picked you up in a police car > and had sexual intercourse with you? > EERIE MUSIC Would you like me to repeat the question? > MUSIC CONTINUES Would you like me to repeat`? Would you like me to repeat`? No. Would you like me to repeat`? No. No? No, I was taken. Not by a number of policemen in a police car. That's wrong. I was taken to a house. And there were other police officers at the house? > Yeah, that's your story? > You say you were sexually assaulted by a number of these officers? That is simply not true, is it? OMINOUS MUSIC Oh my God. No further questions. Oh, for God's sake. I wanna make a statement, John, right now. He had no business bringing that up. He had no business bringing that up. He got it wrong. It wasn't a cop car; it was Bob's car. It was a tan Triumph. It was a tan Triumph. Rum and coke? No, I don't want a drink. I wanna get this down. No, I don't want a drink. I wanna get this down. You've gotta be careful here, OK? Don't confuse the issue. Don't confuse the issue. How do you mean? This is a very different thing from Stigley. Yeah, I know. Yeah, I know. You know, you were a child; he was an adult. Consent never came into it. Consent never came into it. I never consented, John. Consent never came into it. I never consented, John. There was three of them, one of you. It's your word against theirs. Don't you believe me? Don't you believe me? It's not what I believe; it's what a jury believes. Just tai ho on this. OK, focus on Stigley. When he goes down, that's your moment. OMINOUS MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES I don't know how to tell you this. MUSIC CONTINUES TRUCK APPROACHES (SIGHS) Karen told me. What happened this time? What happened this time? Something about the evidence. Hearsay. I dunno. They've set a new date. It'll be seven months by then. They've set a new date. It'll be seven months by then. (SIGHS) Jesus. (SIGHS) It's eating you up, missus. There's nothing left for us ` the girls, the baby. the baby. I have to finish it. (SIGHS) When this next trial's over, we're getting out of here. What? Leave town? What? Leave town? Yeah. A bit of space, a bit of green. You could have a horse if you wanted. How come you're like you are? Fuck knows. Just dumb, I guess. < You said in your statement of the 28th January, didn't you, that your marriage very nearly broke up. Well, if that's what I said, Mr Atkins, then that's what I said. < You raised these allegations in a means of explaining difficulties you were having, didn't you? I don't understand. I don't understand. < You made untrue claims against Mr Stigley and others < to explain difficulties that you were having in your marriage, didn't you? < And you sought counselling, < and you made an enquiry about any financial claim you might have in regard to ACC for sexual abuse, < didn't you? < didn't you? No, I didn't. I didn't do that. > I was crap, like a zombie. You were fine. All I could feel was the contractions. These are meant to stop them, but they don't. I'll get you some water. I'll get you some water. DOOR OPENS, CLOSES LIFT BELL DINGS MAN COUGHS MEN CHATTER OMINOUS MUSIC (GASPS) OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES DOOR OPENS > What are they doing here? They've been called to give evidence. They've been called to give evidence. Who for? For the Crown. For the Crown. But I'm the Crown, aren't I? No, the police are the Crown; you're the complainant. No, the police are the Crown; you're the complainant. But we're the same side? That's right. That's right. No, they're not on my side. That's right. No, they're not on my side. Hey, sit down. Sit down. Just keep calm. We're nearly there. He's going down. His bags are packed. What if something goes wrong? What if something goes wrong? It won't. Not this time, all right? Come on, take your pills. EERIE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 MUSIC SWELLS MUSIC CONTINUES KNOCK AT DOOR MUSIC CONTINUES For you. For you. Oh. For you. Oh. Can I come in? Look, I just wanted to say how sorry I am. I've been thinking about those other ones. I'm gonna let it go. Honestly, I think that's wise. Mm. You're on the move? You're on the move? Yeah. Good plan. Fresh start. Mm. GRIM MUSIC COWS MOO, MACHINERY HUMS BIRDS CHIRP COWS MOO Gidday. Do you live around here? Could do. Can you tell me where I might find Louise Nicholas? Can you tell me where I might find Louise Nicholas? Who wants to know? ENGINE TURNS OFF, CAR DOOR CLOSES ENGINE TURNS OFF, CAR DOOR CLOSES This the guy? ENGINE TURNS OFF, CAR DOOR CLOSES This the guy? Yeah. He doesn't look like a reporter. He doesn't look like a reporter. Yeah, that's, uh, what my wife says. Yeah. There you are. What's the story, then? I got a call from a cop in Rotorua a while back. What cop? He wouldn't say his name, but he told me about some things that happened. Said they were wrong and that justice wasn't done. He gave me some names ` Shipton, Schollum, Rickards. Nah. We don't wanna go there. What about my name? He didn't know it. He just said there was a girl and... they didn't treat her right. I told John about those guys, but not what I guess you'd call an official complaint. He said to take it one step at a time. This is John Dewar? This is John Dewar? Mm. This is John Dewar? Mm. Yeah, Top Gun. He did his best. He did his best. You'd say he handled your case well? Oh yeah, and he got in trouble for it too. Got railroaded out of his job. He went against one of their own, and the knives came out. He was gone. Are you sure that's the reason? Are you sure that's the reason? Why? Do you know different? I could do, yeah. Um,... take a look at this. take a look at this. What's all that? Uh, police reports, court transcripts. You can get this stuff when you're a journo. It takes a while, though, especially if someone doesn't want you to see it. READS: 'NZ Police job sheet. Offence ` unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under care and protection. 'Spoke with Sgt Robert Francis Schollum.' That prick. That prick. 'Said he was in no doubt that what Louise claimed did happen, 'that Stigley was a real sexo and was ruled by his cock.' Schollum said that? But not in court, because no one ever asked him. But John did this interview. But John did this interview. And this one. Huh. Trevor. Said he'd lie for Stigley. Look what else he says. Page three. 'Louise complained to him about what some Rotorua police members were doing to her. 'I asked if there were criminal implications, and he said there could have been.' But then Dewar doesn't ask him about it. No names, nothing. He knew their names. I told him. He said to wait till we got Stigley. He knew their names. I told him. He said to wait till we got Stigley. Never happened, though, did it? Did Dewer ever explain why the first two trials got canned? Did Dewer ever explain why the first two trials got canned? Something about the evidence. Hearsay. Hearsay. That's the one. Hearsay. That's the one. Never knew what it meant. Uh, It's when a witness repeats something they've heard from someone else ` second-hand stuff. It's against the rules, an automatic game off. So who was doing that? Dewar. You're shitting me. It's a rookie mistake. It's so basic, and this is a very senior cop. And he did it twice? The second time he got a warning from the judge. What? 'Don't do it again, boy.' A slap on the wrist? The third trial, can't try that again, so he calls as witnesses three men he should have been investigating for sexual assault. They testify, and, uh` and we all know what they said. That she liked rooting cops. That she liked rooting cops. We know what Stigley said. That she liked rooting cops. We know what Stigley said. That I was a dirty little liar. And we know what the jury said. Not guilty. Dewar... pulled it off. MOREPORK CALLS IN DISTANCE CHILD BABBLES Is this gonna start again, missus? Cos last time, you were that close to crazy. It made sense, everything he said. (EXHALES HEAVILY) Do you trust the guy? What do I know? I trusted Dewar. What do I know? I trusted Dewar. Dewar? What happened to 'John'? (SCOFFS) But what happens if you go with this joker? He gets a story. What do we get? (SIGHS) What do they get? I was like them. I was younger than Jess. It all got taken away. BIRDS CHIRP Where do you wanna start? Um, how about when you first met them ` Shipton, Schollum and Rickards. I already knew Bob from when I was a kid, but the other two I met in Rotorua through my old mate Trev. I was playing indoor cricket with my work team, and he invited us back to the police bar for some drinks. SHARON O'NEILL'S 'MAXINE' PLAYS, PEOPLE CHATTER Watcha drinking, Lou? Watcha drinking, Lou? Rum and coke. Do you know those guys? Do you know those guys? Just him and Trev. They look fit, eh. 'MAXINE' CONTINUES PLAYING Gidday, Trev. Gidday, Trev. Gidday. So nice to see some new faces round here. Hey, I'm Brad. Hey, I'm Brad. Gidday. I'm Louise. Hey, I'm Brad. Gidday. I'm Louise. She's a mate of mine. This is my wife, Sharon, and this is Clint. This is my wife, Sharon, and this is Clint. Nice to meet you, Louise. Are you new in town? Are you new in town? Sort of. I moved here. Are you new in town? Sort of. I moved here. Yeah, Lou's from Murupara. Oh, that Louise? Oh, that Louise? # Maxine. # MUSIC FADES, DISTORTS Yeah, yeah. Lou and I go way back. Yeah, yeah. Lou and I go way back. You can't go that far back. You're not old enough. You'd be 20, 21, hmm? Don't worry, he's off duty. I'm 18. FEEDBACK WHINES OMINOUS MUSIC DOOR OPENS, COUPLE LAUGH > Oh! (GASPS) TOILET FLUSHES Oh, thank God. I'm busting. (PANTS) COUPLE PANT, MOAN > BOTH LAUGH > PHONE RINGS You look like shit. You look like shit. Didn't get much sleep. Got a boyfriend at last? Got a boyfriend at last? (LAUGHS) No way. I'm saving myself for you-know-who. (BLOWS) BIRDS CHIRP Gidday. Gidday. Gidday. Gidday. Gidday. Is, uh, Tessa home? Yeah, she's, uh, inside. Thanks. COCONUT ROUGH'S 'SIERRA LEONE' PLAYS # We'll brave this wind and its anger. # And you know I'll come running to you # if you want me, if you want me to. # Yes, you know I'll come running to you # if you want me, if you want me too. # If you want me, # I'll come running, come running, come running to you. # If you want me, # I'll coming running, come running, come running to you. # Sierra, Sierra. Sierra, Sierra. # KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS Want a lift? Want a lift? I'm not coming in. I've got a gutsache. Oh, bummer. KNOCK ON FRONT DOOR KNOCK ON FRONT DOOR Morning, Louise. Mind if we come in? You off work today? > You off work today? > I'm a bit crook. You off work today? > I'm a bit crook. Oh no. That's no good. > Maybe you just need a lie-down. Come lie down on here. No, thank you. That's not very friendly. That's not very friendly. No. I heard you were quite the friendly sort. Come on, get rid of that. How about this, huh? No. Let's have some fun, eh. It's just me, Lou. (CHUCKLES) TYPEWRITERS CLACK See ya, Louise. DOOR OPENS (SOBS) (SOBS) DOOR CLOSES TYPEWRITERS CLACK BIRDS CHIRP GENTLE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 1 Do a twirl. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) Worth 90 bucks? I reckon. (LAUGHS) MUSIC CONTINUES 1 NIGHT INSECTS CHIRRUP Have you done this before? Not like this. BIRDS CHIRP Hello. Hello. (CHUCKLES) Hello. Hello. BOTH CHUCKLE Lou, hop in. I'll give you a lift. Lou, hop in. I'll give you a lift. Oh, it's not that far, Bob. Lou, hop in. I'll give you a lift. Oh, it's not that far, Bob. Oh, don't be silly. In you get. You heading home from work? You heading home from work? Yeah. I'm in Corlett St. I know. It's back there. It's back there. Just gotta see a mate. INDICATOR TICKS Let me out, Bob. It's fine. Almost there. Come up and have a drink. I'll just wait in the car. I'll just wait in the car. (SCOFFS) Have one drink. Just one. Then I'll take you home. Come on. Come, get out of the car, Lou. Come one. Come on, Lou. BIRDS CHIRP Why did you go in? You knew what was coming. You knew what was coming. No, I didn't know. You must've known. Look, I knew they wanted to fuck me. That's all they ever wanted. But I didn't know the rest. You got out of the car. You... went into the house. You got out of the car. You... went into the house. I asked for it. Yeah! Everything that happened, I fuckin' asked for it. Cos who wouldn't (?) DOOR SLAMS > Fuck, mate. I don't know. That is the question, though. That's what everyone's gonna ask. I always knew there was something. I never asked, and she never said, but... she was so freaked out. Like a dog that's been kicked. You come near it, and it just shrinks away, and she was like that, but I knew she wanted me. You're married, right? You're married, right? Yeah. Her name's Nicky. What would you think if she told you that? > I'd be shattered. Cos that was on my watch, and I didn't know. I didn't want you to know. You were the one good thing. How long did it go on? They kept coming round till I moved in with you. They kept coming round till I moved in with you. So two, th-three months? Felt like more. Felt endless. She was that keen to shack up. Then she goes out, doesn't say anything to me, buys herself an engagement ring. She asked me to marry her. Not what most chicks would do, eh. > He saved my life. I'd be dead if it wasn't for him. DOG PANTS Do you know where they are now? Do you know where they are now? Wouldn't have a clue. Do you know where they are now? Wouldn't have a clue. Schollum sells cars in Napier, Shipton's a city councillor in Tauranga, and Rickards... Rickards is assistant commissioner of police. Shit. Word is they're grooming him for the top job. Number one cop in the country. So it's big, and it's real, and we cannot be wrong. Do you want to pull out? Do you want to pull out? Nope. If you change your mind, I have to kill the story. I can't run it without you. And if I find out you have lied to me, it's over. That's the deal. Go for it. Hi. My name is Phil Kitchin. I am a reporter with the Dominion Post. Am I speaking with Bob Schollum? I'm happy to tell you my side of the story, Phil. I have been speaking with a Louise Nicholas. Mr Shipton. They've got no substance, and if you defame me or slur me in any way, I will follow through with legal proceedings... Mr Rickards, I'm wondering when you get this, if you might have a chance to give me a call. I've been chatting with a Louise Nicholas. Your name has come up. INTENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES Courier came. MUSIC CONTINUES 1 Shit. Shit. What? Shit. What? The flatmate at Corlett St. READS: 'I can recall a time in Louise's room 'when she was having sex with one of the three named persons. 'There is no way she was not consenting. She was not saying no.' 'There is no way she was not consenting. She was not saying no.' Hold on. Louise said... Yeah, the flatmate was never there. READS: They never called at weekends or in the evenings when my flatmate would have been home. READS: 'Whenever the fellows called, they were welcomed in. 'There was always a friendly atmosphere, laughing and joking.' Someone's lying. CELL PHONE VIBRATES UNSETTLING MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES Rex Miller? Rex Miller? You the newspaper bloke? Rex Miller? You the newspaper bloke? That's right. I've been waiting for one of you lot to get on to this. Phil Kitchin. The flatmate ` did you ever actually get to speak to her in person? Not initially, no. She was in Aussie, you see. But we called her. She was cooperative. She said she never saw Louise having sex with cops and she never had sex with cops either. But Shipton... says, 'No way. That's not how it was.' He insisted I get myself over there and track her down. Well, by the time I found her, her whole story had changed. She, uh... She said it was all fun and games at Corlett St. 'Everyone was doing it. No one was saying no.' So what do you think happened? I reckon someone got to her. She was shit scared. I didn't believe her. Neither did the Aussie cop with me. UNSETTLING MUSIC I dedicated my life to the police, so it did rankle ` the way I was moved aside. This is after the Miller inquiry? This is for a story, is it? This is for a story, is it? Could be. Well, between you and me, the Rex Miller's inquiry was a farce. The complainant was unreliable. She enjoyed being close to police, and she was way too loose with her favours. Bullshit. Who's saying that? Dewer and Suzanne Grant. Suze wasn't even there. Suze wasn't even there. They could be lying. Suze wasn't even there. They could be lying. There's no 'could be'. OK, we need something concrete. We need proof. We need proof. Like what? Is it on? Shit. Phil, I can't do this. Is it on? Shit. Phil, I can't do this. Yes, you can. I've done it. Yeah, but you're a journo. I'm a sharemilker. Hey, just, um, uh, clip it on your bra. What if he see's it? If he asks you if you're wearing a wire, you have to tell him. If he asks you if you're wearing a wire, you have to tell him. And then what? Run like hell. Louise, you can do this. TENSE MUSIC Testing, testing. Can you hear me? Hello? (EXHALES) (EXHALES) CAR APPROACHES MUSIC CONTINUES Oh shit, it's him. Go. Go. John. Oh, Louise. So good to see you. What brings you up this way? What brings you up this way? Oh, you know, shopping. What brings you up this way? Oh, you know, shopping. Oh. Your name came up the other day, actually, uh, in conversation with someone. Oh, what, that reporter? H-Has he spoken to you? H-Has he spoken to you? Yeah. I didn't know what to make of it. What do you reckon? No news happening, I reckon. But it did bring up stuff for me, cos he was saying the Rutland St incident ` Shipton and Schollum and that ` that you said it was consensual. Shipton and Schollum and that ` that you said it was consensual. I never mentioned Rutland St. I couldn't even remember the name of the street, to be honest. I couldn't even remember the name of the street, to be honest. But it wasn't consensual. I mean, you knew that. I certainly knew the part about the baton wasn't consensual. It would be hard to know why you'd consent to that. But, look, I'm just rushing off. You should stay in touch. I'll give you my card. Come up to the office. What are you doing, Louise? What are you doing? Obviously you're not over it. Obviously you're not over it. I don't think I'll ever get over it. Those guys treated me like an animal. You're not the only one. You're not the only one. That's it. I was never the only one, and that's sickening. To know there's other women out there... To know there's other women out there... No doubt. They were party animals. Got boozed up, got into some stray rooting. MUSIC SWELLS You bloody beauty. That was dynamite. INTENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES You ready for this? You ready for this? Not really, but I gotta do it. 'We'. It's us together. It happened a long time ago, and it's been a secret, but sometimes you shouldn't keep a secret. You have to tell it so it doesn't happen again, and... I guess I need you to know one of my biggest secrets ` the thing that I've kept inside and... hidden. NIGHT INSECTS CHIRRUP, RAIN PATTERS So did they wrap you up, like, in wrapping paper? That's not what it means. It's rape. But what does it mean? It means they hurt me. Why? I don't know. But we wanna stop them. So it might be in the paper. What you just said? And on TV. But not if you don't want it. If it's not all right with you girls, we'll shut it down, OK. PHONE RINGS Hello? Phil. (SIGHS) I just told the girls. Jesus, Phil. They all right? Not really. They OK'd it, though. Our lawyers OK'd it too. So it's ready to go. So... I have to ask you ` is there anything you haven't told me? What do you mean? If you've lied to us ` I mean, if... these things didn't happen ` the paper could go under. There could be defamation suits. That's millions of dollars in damages. That's millions of dollars in damages. (SOBS) And those men ` their lives, families will be torn apart. families will be torn apart. Do you not believe me? (SOBS) Sorry, Louise, I have to know. Everything I've told you is the truth. PHONE DISCONNECTS TENSE MUSIC BUILDS MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 DOOR CLOSES They were almost sold out. DOOR SLAMS > DOOR SLAMS > Jess? > Sweetheart? > Sweetheart? > Leave me alone. > SOLEMN MUSIC Listen to this, guys. This is what the editor says. This is what everyone is reading all over the country. READS: 'Light must at last fall in places where it has for so long been shut out. 'Those who conspire to protect themselves and each other from their own misdeeds 'should know that one day, however long it may take, they could be uncovered. 'We believe Mrs Nicholas.' MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 Good evening. There's a new development in the Louise Nicholas case. This afternoon it was announced Clint Rickards had been stripped of his powers and stood down while a criminal investigation's carried out. Clint Rickards was served with papers activating his standing... NZ's police force is in for a major shake-up. A commission of inquiry into what went on within the police in the late 1980s... The government will establish an independent commission of inquiry. We could be looking at a major shift in law and order in this country. The commission was instigated after Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas and Kaitaia woman Judith Garrett claimed their historic police sex allegations were ignored... ...tried so hard to` to get somebody to listen to us. When this started, did you ever expect so many other woman were going to come forward? Brad Shipton had sexually violated me and was intimidating me. Another woman with another story to tell. INTENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC FADES CAR HORN HONKS INTENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I had grave reservations about getting out of that car but he insisted, and I got out, and I followed him in ` in and up the stairs and in. Who was there? Rickards and Shipton were there, and there was another man. I don't know who he was. What's the next thing you recall? I'm being led through the dining room. I've been led through the lounge, and I end up in a bedroom. I was sitting on the bed. Well, I was actually sitting on my dress. They were trying to remove my dress, and I'm saying to them, 'No, I don't want this. 'I don't want this.' And eventually... eventually that dress came off, the half slip I was wearing came off, the bra I was wearing came off and the knickers I was wearing came off. Do you recall where the accused Rickards was? He was in the room then. And he's naked. And... And... OMINOUS MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 1 And then it was finished, and they were gone, and there was no one there. And then I looked up. And I saw Shipton with this police baton. This baton... This... This... Th-This baton. No fucking way, mate. SOBS: No fucking way are you using that on me. (CRIES) And I kept telling him that, and I'm backing up against... I'm trying to get away from him, cos he's coming towards me and he's got this baton. And I'm moving back and moving back. And then I could go no further, cos the wall` the... the wall` the bedroom wall was there and I could go no further. CRIES: Get it out, get it out, get it out! And then... And then I'm just... I'm on all fours. I don't know. I don't know how that happened. And they removed the baton, and I thought it was finished, and it wasn't finished, cos then he took it and he shoved it` he shoved it in, and that was it. I thought I was... (SOBS) I just wanted to die. Then he took it out, and that was enough. They'd finished. They'd finished. They'd done it. (SOBS) DOOR OPENS DOOR CLOSES How was it, missus? How was yours? How was yours? Big success. Jess found a ball dress. Ta-da! Ta-da! (CHUCKLES) Do a twirl. Oh, love, you're so beautiful. You didn't try, Mrs Nicholas. You didn't try. You didn't shout, you didn't walk out, you didn't push them off. You said, 'Guys, I'm not into this.' That's what you're telling us? You said, 'Guys, I'm not into this.' That's what you're telling us? That's all I could do. Now that's my point, Mrs Nicholas ` that if this had happened, there was a lot more you could do. It wasn't a one-off. It was constant and repetitive rape and abuse, and you did nothing. Now I want to ask you about your flatmate. READS: 'I was in a room with one of the others. 'I can recall seeing Louise having sex on the bed next to me. 'I certainly did not hear her ever objecting'. Well, that is Suze's recollection of events and not mine. She was never even in the house when those guys called round. The allegations made by Mrs Nicholas are lies. That's the only way I can describe it. Mrs Nicholas is lying. The only time I've ever had anything to do with Mrs Nicholas was on two occasions, which I have mentioned, and on both those occasions I had consensual sex. I say consensual because she was responding ` she was responding to my... to my advances. That's the only way I can describe it. All right. Well, Let's talk about the incident at Rutland St. Have you ever used a baton in that way? Have you ever used a baton in that way? No, I have not. The event at Rutland St never happened. CARS PASS, HORNS HONK Mm. Bye, boys. Bye, boys. Who's that? Shipton and Schollum going back to their hotel. Where are they staying? Where are they staying? It's called jail. Where are they staying? It's called jail. Huh? They did this to another woman. Her trial was last year, and they were found guilty. Got eight years. No one's allowed to know that, so they come to court in a prison van and get changed into suit and tie. But that's cheating. But that's cheating. (SCOFFS) Tell me about it. They can say what they like about me, but no one's allowed to mention that little incident. REPORTER: At one stage, Ross Nicholas was overcome with emotion. REPORTER: A witness at the rape trial of top cop Clint Rickards has told how complainant Louise Nicholas cheerfully flashed her thigh... REPORTER: ...mother-in-law told of visiting her future daughter-in-law, who said she was unwell. She arrived at the flat to see two men leave in a police car. REPORTER: The defence case has closed with the Crown prosecutor began his closing address to the jury. TENSE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES 1 < Members of the jury, have you reached a verdict? < WOMAN: We have. < On the first charge of rape by Messrs Rickards, Shipton and Schollum, < do you find the defendants guilty or not guilty? < Not guilty. < Not guilty. MEN: Yes! < On the second charge of sexual violation by rape by Messrs Rickards and Shipton, < do you find the defendants guilty or not guilty? Not guilty. Not guilty. MEN CHEER On the third charge of rape by Messrs Rickards and Shipton, < do you find the defendants guilty or not guilty? < Not guilty. < On the fourth charge of unlawful sexual connection by... < On the fourth charge of unlawful sexual connection by... WOMAN: Let's move. Gotta go. Not guilty. Not guilty. PEOPLE EXCLAIM Not guilty. PEOPLE EXCLAIM Order, order. ...charge of indecent assault by Mr Shipton, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? Not guilty. On the sixth charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection by Mr Shipton, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? Not guilty. SOLEMN MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES DOOR OPENS SOBS: They didn't believe me. (CRIES) I'm sorry. I'm sorry. (SOBS) Do you have any comment? Do you have any comment? Yes, I will give you a comment. Our brother has been vindicated. My faith in God has been restored. These are good men. The world needs more men like these, and we should all be very proud of them. This caused our family a lot of harm, but we are very very happy right now. Thank you very much. REPORTERS CLAMOUR How do you feel? Sharon? Sharon? No. Sharon? No. No comment from Sharon. (SOBS) You OK, sweetie? CARS PASS I wish I'd never pursued this. Don't say that. You just ended up getting screwed again. No, mate. GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CAR HORN TOOTS (CHUCKLES) MUSIC SWELLS MUSIC CONTINUES 1 We may have lost that battle, but, Jesus, we're gonna win the war. MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC INTENSIFIES 1 VIDEO: But it wasn't consensual. I mean, you knew that. I certainly knew the part about the baton wasn't consensual. Be hard to know why you'd consent to that. But, look, I'm just rushing off. You should stay in touch. I'll give you my card. MUSIC CONTINUES On the first charge of wilfully attempting to obstruct, pervert or defeat the cause of justice, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? CELL PHONE BEEPS, VIBRATES MUSIC CRESCENDOS (EXHALES SHAKILY) MUSIC FADES Thank you. Thank you. No. No, thank you. SOLEMN MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC CONTINUES MUSIC CONTINUES Captions by Pippa Jefferies and Desney Shaw. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2014