- Rugby player Ratuniyarawa sentenced for sexual offences
- Crimes occurred in Cardiff
- Faces two years, ten months
Ratuniyarawa was named to represent the Barbarians on November 4, 2023, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, against Wales.
For a series of sexual offences, an international rugby player who was scheduled to play for the Barbarians was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison.
At a December hearing, 37-year-old Api Ratuniyarawa pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration in connection with three young women.
On 4 November 2023, the Fijian lock was scheduled to warm the bench for the Barbarians’ Principality Stadium match against Wales in Cardiff.
Previously, the Cardiff Crown Court was informed that the offences occurred from October 31 to November 2 of last year.
Ratuniyarawa, a Northamptonshire resident, entered a denial on two additional allegations of sexual assault that pertained to one of the three women.
The court was previously informed that the father of four had been clubless since the summer when London Irish, a Premier League club, entered receivership.
At his Tuesday sentencing hearing, Ratuniyarawa was informed that he had travelled to Cardiff “to attend media obligations and training for the Barbarians match” before the game.
In the week preceding the game, “the defendant appears to have spent many of his nights socialising,” according to prosecutor Heath Edwards KC.
The prosecution claims Ratuniyarawa visited Cardiff’s Revolution pub on November 1, 2, and October 31.
CCTV footage of all three incidents from the VIP area of the establishment was presented to the court.
In court, one of his victims delivered her impact statement.
“My attack materialised unexpectedly.” “It was abrupt and shocking,” she remarked.
“I am humiliated, degraded, and embarrassed.” Still, I do.”
She stated that the incident “began to affect not only her but also her family.”
She continued, “I ought to be looking forward to going out with my friends, but I can’t stop thinking about what has occurred.”
His actions have irreparably damaged my life, and I am currently gripped by a sense of personal torment.
She testified in court that, prior to the incident, she had been such an independent individual.
She stated, “I was unable to take a shower until I had been examined, and all I wanted to do was wash that man off of me.”
Having his entire professional life ahead of him, this man was a highly visible individual. This is what he did to me.
Ruth Smith KC argued that the defendant had “limited recollection” of the episodes but wanted to apologise.
She said the defendant wants to apologise to each victim through me in an initial statement.
His consumption of alcohol in such large quantities was utterly abnormal.
Asserted by Ms. Smith in court, Ratuniyarawa had never consumed that much alcohol in his entire existence.
She added that this incident occurred during a period of turmoil in the defendant’s personal life.
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“He was unemployed at the time.” He is a gentleman who provides financial support to a variety of individuals in addition to his immediate family. “This caused him to be placed in a stressful situation,” Ms. Smith explained.
The court heard that Fiji Rugby administrators called the defendant “a devoted and valuable asset”.
Ms. Smith further stated, “He is cognizant that his conduct forever tarnishes his legacy in the manner reflected in these counts.”
With his conduct, he has not only disgraced himself and his family but also his nation.
In addition, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke issued a three-year restraining order concerning one of the victims.
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