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Archived Press Releases 2005 8th June 2005

Hoax letters an incredibly cruel joke

(8th June 2005)

The person behind the hoax phone call and letters claiming to have critical information in the Jack Nicholas murder inquiry is as cold and calculating as the killer himself according to the man who took the original phone call.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust received the phone call in late April, the caller claimed to have been an accessory after the fact in the murder of Hawke’s Bay farmer Jack Nicholas.

The man had since sent two further letters stipulating what his demands were before he would come forward with the necessary information, but the police revealed that the same hoaxer had also sent similar letters in two other major murder investigations.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar who received the original call in the Hawke’s Bay office of the Sensible Sentencing Trust said this had to rate as one of cruellest jokes anyone could play on the families of murder victims.

"These families have lost someone they love, the only possible consolation for them is that the person responsible is caught and brought to Justice quickly. These hoax letters would have got their hopes up, this is an absolutely gut wrenching and soul destroying thing to do."

"The circumstances surrounding Jack's murder are difficult enough for his family to live with, but for anyone to contemplate a hoax like this puts them in a class of their own, they are absolute gutter rats, they don’t come much lower than scum like this."

"The Sensible Sentencing Trust has received other information that has been handed on to the Police, we would like to reiterate that the reward offer has now reached $50,000 and urge anyone with further information to come forward. No matter how insignificant the information may seem, please get in touch and let the Police decide."

"With the high number of murders happening at present Police resources are stretched to a breaking point. Our police do a fantastic job; this hoaxer has wasted valuable Police time that would be better spent following genuine leads."

"We certainly hope the information the Police now have regarding this hoaxer will lead to an early arrest and end to this persons vicious tactics", Mr McVicar said.

Anyone with further information is urged to ring the Sensible Sentencing Trust on : 06 8355 521.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.