A 25-year-old Fiji-born rugby player has been jailed in New Zealand for charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation.
Mid Canterbury rugby player Kolinio Yabia Tamanitoakula appeared in Gisborne District Court today and was jailed for three years, four months and two weeks after pleading guilty to a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation.
The attack on the woman happened in the Gisborne central business district about 4am on October 2 last year, the morning after Tamanitoakula's Ashburton‑based team played East Coast in Ruatoria.
Tamanitoakula grabbed the woman and pushed her down some steps where he forced her to the ground and began kissing her.
Despite her protestations he forced his hand down her top then pulled down her trousers.
When Tamanitoakula was distracted by a passing motorist the woman struggled away from him and ran onto the road in front of a car.
She was extremely distressed and covered in wet grass and mud.
She told the man driving the car that someone had tried to rape her.
The man dropped her in front of the Gisborne police station.
As she waited outside the station she saw Tamanitoakula walking and identified him to a member of the public who chased him but lost him.
A short time later a police dog handler tracked Tamanitoakula from the scene to the Portside Apartments, where his team was staying.
CCTV footage showed Tamanitoakula in the area after the attack and entering the Portside Apartments.
A short time later he was found in one of the rooms.
His clothing had mud and grass on it.
He would now be deported back to Fiji.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations