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Allegations of Abuse
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Tea Ropati - League Star accused
of rape |
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NZ Herald
Ropati denied all charges against
him. Photo / Martin Sykes Tea Ropati has been found not guilty on six charges of sexual assault. There were emotional scenes in
court after the verdicts were announced with members of Ropati's family
screaming and clapping. There were shouts of: "Show
us the justice, where is the justice?" In a statement following the verdict
Ropati said he was relieved. "I deeply regret that my
actions caused so much pain to all those who love me, my wife Vanessa, my
children, my mum and dad, brothers and sisters," Ropati said. "I never doubted that I would
be found innocent of all the charges. I have been honest and upfront at all
times with everyone concerned." Brother Peter Ropati said:
"This should never have happened to us. Give us our time, give us our
justice." The seven men and five women on
the jury, who retired at 1pm yesterday, delivered their verdicts on the
eighth day of the Auckland District Court trial, after almost 12 hours of
deliberations. The former Warriors rugby league
player had denied charges of attempted sexual violation, sexual violation,
rape, and sodomy. The Crown had alleged Ropati ended
up at the Whiskey Bar on Auckland's Ponsonby Rd, where he met the
complainant. During the trial jurors were shown
video footage of the pair in the bar. The woman had been drinking at the
bar with a group of friends. Ropati was alleged to have
attempted to sexually violate the woman in a back room of the bar, then
allegedly raped and sexually violated her at nearby Victoria Park. Throughout the trial friends and
family defended his reputation.
Born: September 7, 1965 Clubs: Newcastle Knights 1988, St
Helens 1989 to 1994, Warriors 1995 to 1999 Position: Centre International teams: Junior Kiwis,
Kiwis, Samoa Career highlights: British league
player of the year: 1992/1993. Played in the inaugural Auckland Warriors
match against Brisbane Broncos in March, 1995 and was player of the year. Ropati played in the centres
alongside Dean Bell and was known for his pace and finishing. He has since
fought in the charity boxing match Fight for Life in 2004 to raise money for
the Meningitis Trust. Ropati also worked with youth in Manukau on the At-Risk
Youth Manukau Project. - with NZPA |
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