Clint Rickards

Wellington, May 9 NZPA - Disgraced ex-police chief Clint Rickards has started work as a lawyer at the same Auckland court where the woman he was cleared of sexually violating assists victims of crime.

Mr Rickards had his first shift as a duty solicitor at Auckland District Court on Thursday, The Herald on Sunday reported today.

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas alleged in 2004 that she had been the victim of sexual violence at the hands of Mr Rickards and two other police officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum when they were based in Rotorua in the 1980s.

Mr Rickards was an assistant police commissioner when her allegation became public.

All three were found not guilty of sexual violence charges against her at a 2006 High Court trial, and of sex charges against another unnamed Rotorua woman a year later.

Mr Rickards was admitted to the bar in November 2008.

Ms Nicholas, who works as a survivor advocate at Auckland District Court, said she was appalled that Mr Rickards could be defending criminals so soon after he was in the dock.

A lawyer, who did not want to be named, said there were many people at the courthouse "who don't want the guy in the building".

"As lawyers we have to respect he was acquitted and we shouldn't be doing this job if we don't respect that fact," she said.

"[But] he has created enormous damage to the police brand."

Duty solicitor supervisor Leigh Langridge, who supported Mr Rickards' application to work at the district court, said he should be given the opportunity to move on.

His experience as a policeman and defendant meant he had great knowledge of the law, she said.

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