04 November 2023 , 14:25
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A rugby player has been charged with sexual assault after an incident in a nightclub.
Barbarians rugby player Api Ratuniyarawa appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court, where he spoke only to confirm his name. The Fiji international, who was named on the bench for the upcoming Wales v Barbarians game, has been accused of sexually assaulting three women at a Cardiff-based nightclub. He denied sexually assaulting three women, while a court has heard details of the alleged incident from prosecutor Michael Evans. He says the three incidents happened independently of each other, with the women not know to each other or Ratuniyarawa before that night.
Ratuniyarawa was accused of penetrating two of the women with his finger and touching the breast and body of a third woman. Magistrate Peter Hamley subjected Ratuniyarawa to "stringent bail" before the case is brought to Cardiff Crown Court on December 4. Ratuniyarawa will be electronically tagged and on curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am, and is unable to enter Wales beyond court appearances. He is also not permitted to contact any witnesses, nor enter any licensed premises selling alcohol including bars, clubs and restaurants.
A Barbarians spokesman said: “As soon as we were contacted by South Wales Police we cooperated fully, assisting them with their enquiries. On their advice we can't comment any further as the investigation is ongoing." Ratuniyarawa was named in the lineup for the upcoming Wales v Barbarians game at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. South Wales Police confirmed the 37-year-old was charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching.