No charges for Hidding
HIDDING IN CLEAR
FORMER police minister Rene Hidding says he’s looking forward to moving on from a “challenging episode” in his life after a historical sex assault case was dropped yesterday.
Mr Hidding welcomed the decision by police to close the case after an “extensive investigation”. Police said advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions was that considering the available evidence and passage of time, there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction.
FORMER Police Minister Rene Hidding says he is looking forward to a “more positive” chapter in his life after police announced they would not press charges against him over an allegation of historical sexual abuse.
A 56-year-old woman had accused Mr Hidding of sexually abusing her about 40 years ago — claims Mr Hidding strongly denied.
In a statement issued yesterday, Tasmania Police said following an “extensive investigation”, Mr Hidding would not be charged. “Advice was sought from the DPP who reviewed the available evidence and determined that given the constraints posed by the passage of time and the resulting impact on the evidence available, there was no reasonable prospect of conviction,” police said.
In a statement issued through his lawyers, Mr Hidding welcomed the decision.
“Six months ago, I took the tough decision to retire early from my 23-year parliamentary career in order to deal with the publication of an allegation made by a family member who lived with our family for a short period 40 years ago and who has been in a longterm dispute with her wider family,” the statement said.
“We look forward to the next, more positive, chapter in our lives, wherever life takes us. It’s important to us that we thank the Tasmanian community, at all levels, across all social and political divides, for its balanced and rational approach to this challenging episode in our lives.
“It is important to me, however, to maintain my long-held stance to encourage any person holding genuine concerns over matters such as these to report these concerns to Tasmania Police in all circumstances.”
The woman who accused Mr Hidding said she was “gutted” by the decision not to press charges. She said she stood by her accusations.
“This is not it for me, I will explore my options,” she said.
Liberal Party president Geoff Page welcomed the “finalisation of this matter”.
“It is extremely unfortunate that this matter clouded Mr Hidding’s retirement from parliament after a long and stellar parliamentary career,” Mr Page said.
“On behalf of the Liberal Party I wish to extend our full support to all involved.”