|
Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
||
|
Tea Ropati - League Star accused
of rape |
||
|
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=179&objectid=10490112 NZ Herald
Tea Ropati, seen with lawyer Gary
Gotlieb after today's court appearance, was more than twice the legal limit. Former Kiwis rugby league player
Tea Ropati says he's glad his court ordeals are over after admitting a drink
driving charge today. Ropati was today disqualified from
driving for six months and ordered to pay a $620 fine and $130 of court costs
when he appeared in Auckland District Court. Today's appearance came a day
after his acquittal by an Auckland District Court jury on six sex charges,
including rape, following a seven-day trial. The drink driving charge was laid
after Ropati recorded a breath alcohol reading of 821 micrograms per litre of
breath - almost twice the legal limit of 400mcg - after being stopped by
police. Ropati, who yesterday admitted in
a statement that he had ongoing problems with alcohol, stayed behind a closed
door in a court interview room outside the court itself for about 30 minutes
this morning before his appearance. He emerged after being told his
cas e was due to be heard and appeared in the dock for less than five
minutes. He admitted the charge through his
lawyer Gary Gotlieb, who said the drink driving charge happened when he had
been going through a tough period . His sentence reflected the fact it
was his first drink driving offence and that he pleaded guilty at the first
opportunity. Ropati's only words to media upon
leaving the court today were "I am just relieved it's all over". Police have defended their
decision to bring a rape case against Ropati after Mr Gotlieb suggested the
matter was only pursued because of his career as a rugby league star. He was accused of raping a woman
he met in a bar in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby in June 2006. The jury
took 10 hours over two days to reach their verdicts after a week-long trial. The Crown argued that Ropati took
advantage of the woman, who was so intoxicated that she could not have
consented to sexual activity with him. The defence said a rape did not
occur because Ropati stopped short of having full sex with the woman as he
felt guilty on account of his wife, and the sexual activity that did take
place was consensual. Mr Gotlieb said the cases should
never have been brought to court and he slammed the police adult sexual
assault team which was formed about the time the woman made her complaint. He said the unit was out to make a
name for itself and police were out to prove themselves. Mr Gotlieb also accused police of
playing "hardball" with Ropati from the time the complaint was
laid. Detective Senior Sergeant Scott
Beard denied that police were out to prove themselves with a celebrity scalp,
saying there was enough evidence to take Ropati to court. The family of the complainant said
in a statement today that they were "extremely proud of her courage, not
only for herself, but for all the other women in a vulnerable
situation". The family thanked the police and
crown prosecution for their work, integrity and support. "It is unfathomable for us to
comprehend at this time, that our family member after going through such a
difficult trial, continues to be denigrated by the defence team. "This is a sad and unjust way
in which to resolve what continues to be a very real and serious problem in
our society. |
||
