Justice is bittersweet for sexual abuse victim

Heather Walsh waited 27 years to bring William Cornelius to court for sexual abuse, but yesterday justice was bittersweet.

Cornelius, 79, was judged mentally unfit to stand trial on historical rape and abduction charges brought by Mrs Walsh in 2009, and was immediately released.

In the Wanganui District Court, Judge David Cameron lifted Mrs Walsh's name suppression after hearing lawyer Debbie Goodlet's submission that her client "clearly understood the nature and effect of her application".

Mrs Walsh told the Chronicle it had been a "huge decision" to bring the charges.

"But justice has not been done. He has been sent back to the valley where he selfishly utilised his home against so many young women. He just brings them in."

Mrs Walsh said Cornelius was a fulltime rapist who had never admitted his sexual offending and had never got help.

"But he no longer has name suppression and that's good. In that way the girls who ride their horses in the valley or go down there will be warned."

Supporting Mrs Walsh at court was Louise Nicholas, who brought charges in high-profile sexual assault cases involving former Rotorua policemen Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum, and former assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards. All three were acquitted of raping Mrs Nicholas and another woman.