Warning: this episode refers to child sex abuse and is intended for a mature audience only.

The Christchurch Civic Creche child sex abuse scandal rocked the South Island city in the early 90s - and went on to become one of the most significant legal battles in New Zealand's history.

Childcare worker Peter Ellis was accused of bizarre and horrifying offences of satanic rituals, torture and sacrifice against preschoolers while he worked at the creche.

He was eventually convicted on 16 charges of sexually abusing pre-schoolers and jailed for 10 years.

In 2022 - after numerous failed appeals - the Supreme Court quashed Ellis' convictions, saying the police investigation and his trial were significantly flawed.

Sadly, Ellis died before the landmark decision.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask goes back to 1991 when Ellis was first accused of child abuse - and tells his story from there.

You will also one of the last interviews Ellis ever gave before he died, as well as one of the child complainants who maintains she was abused by her former creche teacher.

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior journalist at the New Zealand Herald. To find out more about her work as a specialist crime and justice reporter click here.

To read more:

The twists and turns of Peter Ellis' Christchurch Civic Creche sex abuse case

Peter Ellis: Convictions posthumously quashed in landmark Supreme Court decision

To hear more:

The Front Page

The Mike Hosking Breakfast, NewstalkZB

SEXUAL HARM - Where to get help

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email support@safetotalk.nz

For more info or to web chat visit www.safetotalk.nz

Alternatively contact your local police station.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth crime is a constant issue in New Zealand – and in the last few years, stories of ram raids, violent attacks and spree offending have dominated the headlines.

Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem – introducing various policies, programs and plans and even changing legislation.

There has been some success, but for some youth offenders, it seems there is nothing anyone can say or do to stop their often terrifying and relentless behaviour.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask examines the life of one of hte country's worst youth offenders - Paddy.

She also speaks with Principal Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi about the issues around young offenders, how they can be stopped and who is responsible.

To read more about Paddy click here.

The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015 a 43-year-old man was jailed for more than 15 years for the premeditated, prolonged and persistent sexual abuse of his two young daughters - filming much of the abuse of the youngest and uploading it to vile websites.

He was also convicted of sexual offending against another two little girls he met through his job at a community centre and secretly filming an adult friend having sex.

Recently he was refused parole and his daughters spoke to senior journalist Anna Leask, host of the Herald podcast A Moment In Crime about their ordeal.

SEXUAL HARM - Where to get help

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email support@safetotalk.nz

For more info or to web chat visit www.safetotalk.nzAlternatively contact your local police station.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.