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	More Complaints in Brethren Sex Probe Marlborough Express [Australia] May 2, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4045727a6008.html Nelson police investigating historic sexual abuse complaints from five former Exclusive Brethren women say they hope to speak to the elderly Nelson man at the centre of the allegations within a couple of weeks. Tasman police district commander Superintendent Grant O'Fee said police initially received three complaints from women allegedly abused by an Exclusive Brethren member in Nelson between the early 1950s and the early 1980s. He said two more women came forward with complaints late last week, and that all five complaints were now being investigated. He said the fourth complaint had been laid in Auckland, but related to alleged offending when the woman was around 10 years old and living in the Nelson area. He said there was no suggestion of further complaints being made by other women at this stage. Mr O'Fee said investigations into historic complaints often took a considerable amount of time, as it was harder to contact everyone involved. But he said police hoped to speak to the man the complaints had been made against within the space of a couple of weeks, even though they were still in the early stages of investigating the most recent complaint. Australia-based Exclusive Brethren spokesman Tony McCorkell said he was prepared to come to New Zealand and help police with their inquiries. Mr McCorkell, who spoke to the man at the centre of the allegations when he was in New Zealand briefly last month, said the church would not pay for or assist with the man's legal needs. "I understand he is seeking his own legal advice," Mr McCorkell said. When in New Zealand, Mr McCorkell had met former members of the church claiming to have information about the allegations, but they would not give him any details unless they could be involved in the investigation. Mr McCorkell said yesterday he had since spoken to the group, which had indicated the complainants preferred the police to deal with the investigation. "And we are happy with that." Mr McCorkell said the alleged offender was still a senior member of the church, but held no seniority. He said the church would give every co-operation to the police. "My understanding is that the relationship between the alleged victims and the alleged perpetrator was a family relationship ... nothing to do with the church." He said he wanted to ensure their activities were not linked to the church and that they were acting independently. - Fairfax
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