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Allegations
of Abuse in NZ |
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Tea Ropati -
League Star accused of rape |
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Sunday
News The former Warriors and Kiwis league star facing
three counts of sexual violation will fight the charges. The identity of the former international - whose
charges included rape and sodomy - would remain secret at least until
Tuesday, when a special District Court sitting was scheduled to hear
arguments to keep his name secret. The high-profile former player made a second
appearance at Auckland District Court on Thursday after his arrest earlier in
the week. He entered no plea and was remanded on bail to a
pre-depositions hearing on September 11. But a source close to the former star told Sunday
News he would defend the sexual abuse charges and was determined to defend
his name and reputation. "It's stuffed up his life," the source
said. The alleged offences involved one complainant on
June 15. After his appearance at Auckland District Court on Thursday,
the former league star was picked up outside the front of the building by a
vehicle which moments later was pulled over by a police car as it pulled away
from media photographers. The police car - with its red and blue lights
flashing - pulled over the vehicle about 200 metres down the road moments
after it drove off. A police officer spoke to the driver before letting
him go after apparently giving him a warning. Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the
officers who pulled over the vehicle were not from the police team
investigating the alleged sexual violations. "I don't know which police car may have been
involved in the incident," Hegarty said. "None of the officers involved in the (sexual
violations) inquiry was involved in any interaction outside court with the
accused." Hegarty said police had discretionary powers on what
action to take in a situation like that involving the vehicle. "Police at all times are able to use their
discretion to determine whether or not they issue fines, infringement
notices, make arrests, issue warnings," Hegarty said. |
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