A BARBARIANS rugby player has appeared in court charged with sexual assault offences on three women in a nightclub.
Api Ratuniyarawa, 37 and from West Northamptonshire, appeared before Cardiff magistrates this afternoon.
Api Ratuniyarawa has been charged with sexual assault[/caption]
South Wales Police revealed the rugby star was charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching.
The London Irish lock forward from Fiji had been named in the Barbarians’ squad for this afternoon’s match against Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
British-based invitation side Barbarian FC 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.”
Their side is being captained by Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones ahead of his retirement after 170 appearances for Wales and the British Lions.
Ratuniyarawa had been lined up to play for Fiji at the recent Rugby World Cup in France but withdrew from the squad in July for family reasons.
He allegedly assaulted the women in three separate incidents at the Revolution Bar in Cardiff, a court heard today.
He had been out with other Barbarian players when he was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning and kept in custody.
Cardiff magistrates heard none of the women knew each other and the three alleged assaults happened independently of each other.
Ratuniyarawa, who spoke in court only to confirm his name and address, denies the offences.
He was remanded on bail and put on an electronic curfew between 7pm and 7am.
Magistrate Peter Hamley banned the player from re-entering Wales until he appears at Cardiff Crown Court on December 4.
He is not allowed to enter any licensed premises selling alcohol such as bars, clubs and restaurants and was told not to contact any witnesses in the case.
Ratuniyarawa was arrested for alleged offences in Cardiff’s Revolution bar[/caption]
He had been expected to play for the Barbarians against Wales on Saturday[/caption]. Source
