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Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
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Tea Ropati - League Star accused
of rape |
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NZ Herald
Tea Ropati. The victim of an alleged sex
attack by a rugby league star had been involved in a drink and drugs binge
and was a willing participant, a court was told today. Faatea (Tea) Ropati went on trial
in the Auckland District Court this morning on six charges of sexual
violation including allegations of unlawful sexual connection and rape. Ropati entered not guilty pleas to
all counts when the charges were put to him this morning. Defence counsel Gary Gotlieb told
the jury the complainant had been involved in a cocaine, marijuana and
drinking binge and was very much a willing participant. He told the jury they must decide
whether his client was a predator or merely a victim of circumstances. Wide-ranging suppression orders
had been in place prior to trial as Ropati is the public face of a charitable
trust working with South Auckland youth. It was previously argued
publication of Ropati's name would have harmed the reputation and endangered
the work of the trust. But in a ruling released late last
week which can be revealed today, Judge Phil Gittos ruled Ropati's identity
be revealed following his arraignment at the start of today's trial. "Powerful public interest
considerations must now, at this stage, outweigh the factors which justified
the making of this order on an interim basis at an earlier stage." Ropati had had "ample
time" to distance himself from the trust's affairs, the judge said in
his ruling. The trial is set down for eight
days. - With Newstalk ZB |
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