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The sound of muffled giggling that sometimes emanated from the defence table angered others present.

In closing addresses, the defence attorneys argued that a jury trial could not proceed as there wasn't enough material evidence against their clients.

On Thursday February 11 1993, the judge delivered his ruling.

All five defendants would be committed to trial.

The judge dismissed four of the charges, including the one of public indecency that related to Peter Ellis and Debbie Gillespie allegedly having sex at the creche.

But Peter and his four colleagues would have to answer for all the other charges in front of a jury.

From the back of the courtroom, someone was heard remarking, Hang the bitches.

As the Crown began to prepare for trial, they had to decide exactly what evidence would be presented before a jury.

That job fell to Crown solicitor Brent Stanaway.

He began going over the evidence, assessing what was reliable and admissible as well as likely to result in a conviction.

Stanaway ultimately decided against calling upon six of the 20 complainant children, whose claims had either been dismissed at the deposition hearing or were determined to be too weak.

A couple of the complainants were also withdrawn from the case by their mothers.

This led to no charges remaining against Debbie Gillespie, as her two remaining charges related to one of these children.

The case against Adebe was dropped and on Friday March 5 1993, she was officially discharged.

Brent Stanaway also reduced the number of charges remaining that related to other complainants.

Some multiple charges were blended into a single charge.

This led to the three equal charges against Gaye Davidson, Marie Keys, and Janice Buckingham being reduced into just one charge.

With his clients now facing a single charge, the women's defense attorney applied to have their case dismissed, arguing that no jury properly directed could find them guilty.

Justice Neil Williamson, who was presiding over the trial, accepted this submission.