09 January 2024 , 16:38
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An international rugby star who was set to play for the Barbarians has been sentenced to more than two years in prison on a number of sexual offences.
Fiji international Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, had been drinking with fellow rugby players three nights in a row ahead of the Barbarians game against Wales when he groped his victims. The former London Irish forward had been was charged just hours before he was due to play in front of 70,000 people at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Cardiff Crown Court heard he had been downing drinks with fellow international stars before he sexually assaulted three young women in the Revolution nightclubs in the Welsh capital. The victims, none of whom knew each other, all made complaints to the police regarding the attacks in the Vodka Revolution bar opposite Cardiff Castle. The court was shown three CCTV clips of each assault inside the Revolution nightclub by prosecutor Heath Edwards.
Mr Edwards said Ratuniyarawa had spent a week in Wales to prepare for the game but, "appears to have spent many of his nights socialising". In the first clip, Mr Edwards said that first victim "was clearly resisting the defendant and trying to move away from him" as he tried to kiss her whilst dancing.
The second clip, from the following night, showed Ratuniyarawa "clearly intoxicated" as he groped another victim. Whilst a third clip shows him pick up another victim onto his lap before he touched her sexually. The court heard how the three separate attacks happened on three different evenings at the bar to three 19-year-old girls.
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One victim told the court how Ratuniyarawa carried out the "shocking" and "very painful" assault. She said: "I'm certainly not the same person I was before the attack. I struggle to think it was OK to do this to a 19-year-old girl." She said the star had "ruined my life by what he's done" and that she was in her "own personal hell."
His defence counsel said he had let both himself and his country down (Getty Images)Another victim said Ratuniyarawa had taken away her "identity, self-worth and confidence" and impacted her ability to be "intimate" with romantic partners. She said that she took comfort in the fact that she is "not alone in this". She added: "I hope they are getting the help they need."
The third victim said the impact of the attack had led her to leave her job and have suicidal thoughts. She said: "I get emotional when I think about the event. I haven't returned to the place until recently, that took a lot of courage and trauma."
The father-of-four admitted two charges of assault by penetration and one of sexual assault. Ruth Smith, defending, said that Ratuniyarawa is "genuinely remorseful' and "deeply ashamed" of his actions. "He is entirely responsible for the events that unfolded" and the "blame and guilt" lies with him. She added. "He has not only let himself down and his family, but also his country, this is a burden for which he will bare."
Judge, Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told him that "for all three offences I know you stopped because others intervened." She added: "I accept the remorse and shame you feel are genuine." Ratuniyarawa, of Kislingbury, Northampton, was jailed for two years and 10 months. A three-year restraining order was also granted to one of the complainants.
He had played for London Irish before (Getty Images for Barbarians)Ratuniyarawa was named in the Barbarians team for the game - but was withdrawn from the match before kick-off.
The Fiji international, who was in his country's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, and had been named on the substitutes bench for the Wales v Barbarians game.
He was named in the Barbarians' squad ahead of the game against Wales at Cardiff's Principality Stadium for the 2.30pm kick-off. But he was omitted from the teamsheet before kick-off. The Barbarians are a selected team made up of players from teams around the world.
In a statement, Barbarian FC 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."
He was first named in his country's squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and has 38 caps for the famous "Flying Fijians".
In September 2016, he signed for Northampton Saints before joining London Irish last year but the club went into administration ahead of the current season.
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He had previously praised the support of his wife and family. In an interview he said: "I go home and my wife is also my coach at home. She comes and watches the game and tells me I dropped the ball here and there, and it helps my game. My wife is my biggest critic and my biggest coach because she knows how I react to things and what I need to do to be better. I give credit to her for that."