24 January, 2026, 6:51 am Central - 26°C Clouds

Ratuniyarawa sentenced to 2 years and 10 months

Ratuniyarawa sentenced to 2 years and 10 months

By Navitalai Naivalurua
10/01/2024
Ratuniyarawa was sentenced to two years and 10 months for two charges of assault by penetration and one charge of sexual assault. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Former Fiji Water Flying Fijians lock Api Ratuniyarawa has been sentenced to two years and 10 months for two charges of assault by penetration and one charge of sexual assault.

Ratuniyarawa, who represented Fiji more than 30 times, was in the Welsh capital preparing to play for the Barbarians invitational club against Wales in November last year when the assaults took place.

The women, who were all 19 years of age, told Cardiff Crown Court that the attacks, which happened in an area earmarked for Ratuniyarawa and teammates, had left them deeply traumatised and fearful.

When Ratuniyarawa was arrested at the Hilton Hotel, he told police he had never been in trouble before and was only being fun and friendly.

But Ratuniyarawa’s barrister told the court that the father of four was now deeply apologetic and ashamed of his crimes, which spelt the end of his career.

Source: The Guardian

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