A bid to overturn Peter Ellis' 13 remaining convictions for child sex offences has hit a speed bump after fresh allegations.
Peter Ellis always maintained his innocence after being found guilty of 16 counts of sexual abuse in 1993, and repeatedly sought to overthrow the convictions. Photo: Getty Images
The former Christchurch Civic Creche worker died in September last year, however the Supreme Court has ruled his appeal of his convictions can continue.
A hearing was held at the court today where it was revealed a woman had complained about being sexually abused by Ellis in 1982.
Ellis always maintained his innocence after being found guilty of 16 counts of sexual abuse in 1993.
He appealed twice to the Court of Appeal.
The first appeal quashed three of the convictions, while the second appeal against the 13 remaining convictions was dismissed in 1999.
A woman came forward and complained to police in February last year. No formal investigation was launched - and the Crown was only alerted about the complaint in September last year.
The woman's complaint was backed up by her sister.
Ellis had no opportunity to respond to the allegations when he was alive.
Crown lawyer, John Billington QC, said the evidence had been sworn to. He took responsibility for the delays.
"I accept that as I stand here today more could have been done to satisfy this court of the veracity of it - or the truth of it - it hasn't been done," he said.
The court heard the woman first complained to the police in the early '90s about Ellis sexually abusing her about a decade earlier.
Certain suppression orders are in place following today's hearing.
A 'red flag'
Ellis' defence lawyer, Robert Harrison, told the court there was no record of that complaint.
He described that as a red flag.
"I cannot believe that a complainant would have walked into a police station in Christchurch 1992 or 1993 complaining about Peter Ellis sexually abusing them and something not happening," he said.
Harrison said the evidence revealed today had no reliability and he was concerned about its credibility.
Justice Williams said further work needed to be done to investigate the complaint - including by police and the Crown.
The hearing was adjourned.
The Crown has been asked to provide an update on its enquiries by the end of the month.
No date has yet been set for when Ellis' appeal will take place.