Allegations of Abuse in NZ
	peterellis Home / abuse allegations / Tea Ropati / Page 2 - 1st week of the trial	Tea Ropati - League Star accused of rape Not Guilty ”a case that should never have gone to trial” - Lawyer
	Newstalk ZB January 22 2008; 05:20 Further video evidence in Ropati trial More video evidence of a former rugby league star allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a woman will be shown in the Auckland District Court today. Faatea (Tea) Ropati is facing six charges of sexual violation, including rape, following an incident in Auckland 18 months ago. The Crown alleges Ropati took advantage of a drunk woman by sexually violating her at a bar and then raping her at Victoria Park. Surveillance footage of the pair at a Ponsonby bar was shown in court yesterday. It showed the complainant at one point falling asleep on a couch, as Ropati continued to touch her. Ropati's lawyer Gary Gotlieb is arguing that the complainant was a willing participant and had taken drugs and alcohol. The trial has been set down for eight days.