Sixth man sought in rape case

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 2

Sixth man sought in rape case

A sixth man is still wanted by the police in connection with a gang rape case at the Highway 61 motor-cycle gang's ’ headquarters on August 1. A warrant had been issued for the man's arrest, but efforts to trace him had failed so far. said Detective R. Homan, of the Christchurch C. 1.8. The man. aged 29. is thought to have gone to the North Island since the incident. and returned.

The Crown does not plan to appeal after the acquittal on Monday of five other men on charges of rape.

The Crown prosecutor in the case. Mr D. J. L. Saunders. said yesterday that credibility and identification had emerged as the central issues in the trial. The jury had made its decision. Without any points of law to be argued there would be little point in an appeal. Mr Saunders said that the simple announcement of the jury’s verdict had not been very satisfactory from the community’s point of view, considering the outcry over the case.

"The jury system obviously has its deficiencies, but something has to be put up to replace it,” said Mr Saunders.

“If you go before a judge alone on a burglary charge, and you are convicted at the end of the day, at least you will be given a reasoned explanation of exactly why you were convicted,” he said.