By KIRAN CHUG - The Nelson Mail 21 June 2007
Police are seeking legal advice before deciding whether to charge a Nelson Exclusive Brethren member who has declined to be interviewed over sexual abuse complaints laid against him.
The elderly man was recently approached by police investigating complaints made in April by five women, all former Exclusive Brethren members.
They allege that they were sexually abused by the man in Nelson between the early 1950s and the 1980s.
Tasman police crime service manager Detective Inspector John Winter said the matter was now being reviewed by the police's legal section in Christchurch. He said police were seeking a legal opinion because of the complexity of the case, which involved a number of complainants and stretched back over many years.
Australian-based Exclusive Brethren spokesman Tony McCorkell said the man was not attending any church functions or socialising with church people while the matter was outstanding. The man had not been given advice by the church, but had hired independent legal counsel.
Mr McCorkell said he did not wish to comment on the matter any further as the police investigation was at a "delicate stage".
He said the church wanted the law to take its course without any interference.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4103460a11.html
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