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Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
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Tea Ropati - League Star accused
of rape |
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Radio NZ A woman who alleges she was raped
by a former sports star has told the Auckland District Court she was in no fit
state to consent to sex. Former international rugby league
player Tea Ropati, 41, is on trial in the Auckland District Court on six
charges of sexual violation in relation to the incident in June 2006. Mr Ropati's lawyer Gary Gotleib
says the victim's first statement omitted a large amount of detail which was
conveniently added five weeks later. The woman, who became increasingly
agitated throughout cross-examination, says the reason for her vague account
was because she was still in shock. But Mr Gotleib has suggested she
consented to sexual activity with Mr Ropati and later regretted doing so. The complainant, who met the
accused at a bar in Ponsonby, says she had been drinking heavily that night.
She also told the court that she had consumed a small line of cocaine. As a result, the woman says her
memories of the evening are sketchy, but she does remember waking in the back
seat of a car with Ropati on top of her. She also said there's no doubt in
her mind she was raped, despite the accused maintaining they did not have
sex. |
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