Barbarians rugby player Api Ratuniyarawa admits sex attacks in Cardiff nightclub
Api Ratuniyarawa (Image: PA) A TOP rugby player is facing jail for sex attacks on three young women in a nightclub during a night out with his teammates. Fiji international Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, was charged just hours before he was due to play in front of 50,000 people against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff last month.
The married former London Irish star sexually assaulted them in the same nightclub while out with his Barbarians teammates downing drinks in the Welsh capital. The father-of-four admitted assault by penetration of the three women during the appearance at Cardiff Crown Court. 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.
MORE NEWS: Shopkeeper had past its use-by date ham and kept samosas at wrong temperature[1] The court heard he will now have to register as a sex offender after admitting the three charges. Ratuniyarawa denied two further charges relating to one of the women and prosecutor Heath Edwards said they would not be proceeded with.
Ruth Smith, defending, asked for Ratuniyarawa to be bailed saying he was a man of “previous good character” and had been on conditional bail. She added: “He is aware of the significance of his pleas and the type of sentence that flows from such pleas. “These are matters that arose primarily out of the consumption of alcohol he is on a condition not to enter licensed premises, a curfew that keep him at home, residence and not to contact prosecution witnesses.
“He is someone who has very fixed ties to the United Kingdom. He has played rugby here for a significant number of years, his wife and four young children are resident here and have their own right to remain. “He is not a flight risk.
“There are significant matters that he needs to put in place for his family. Not least to change the tenancy of his house over to his wife’s name.” She added: “The defendant is the sole breadwinner for the family.
He was recently employed by London Irish who unfortunately collapsed in May 2023. Story continues “He was present in Cardiff to play in a Barbarian’s game.
It was hoped that a contract might flow from that but, of course because of these events that did not happen. “Because of that he has had to apply for benefits for his family, those are not absolutely in place. “He has various appointments in respect of securing financial security for his family.”
Ratuniyarawa was among the substitutes in the famous invitational side’s squad for the game but was withdrawn from the bench before kick-off. The 18st stone second row forward, of Kislingbury, Northampton, was bailed but ordered to return to court in January. During his bail, Ratuniyarawa will have electronic curfew between 7pm and 7am, he will not be able to enter Wales apart from for court proceedings.
He will also not be able to contact any witnesses in the case and is not allowed to enter any licensed premises selling alcohol, such as bars, clubs and restaurants. He must also report daily to Northampton police station between 12-2pm. Ratuniyarawa was in his country’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.
Barbarian Football Club, who are known as the Barbarians, said in a statement: “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 first named in his country’s squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and has 38 caps for the 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. 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.”
References
- ^ Shopkeeper had past its use-by date ham and kept samosas at wrong temperature (www.southwalesargus.co.uk)