Disgraced RWC star jailed for raping and sexually assaulting teenagers

Fiji international and a Rugby World Cup star Api Ratuniyarawa has found guilty and subsequently incarcerated after admitting to committing a series of sex offences at a bar in Cardiff, the Welsh capital city.

Ratuniyarawa was sentenced to two years and 10 months for a series of sexual offences in Cardiff, after admitting to two counts of assault by penetration and one charge of sexual assault at a hearing in December in relation to three young women.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given a three-year restraining order against one of his victims.

The disgraced 37-year-old was led away from Cardiff Crown Court in handcuffs following his sentencing.

Ratuniyarawa, who lives in Northamptonshire, committed the crimes at the Revolution nightclub between 31 October and 1 November in 2023, days before the Barbarians were due to take on Wales in a game.

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Three nights at the bar

The lock was originally named on the replacements bench for the clash at the Principality Stadium before being withdrawn from the match after he was arrested.

The court heard Ratuniyarawa went to the bar on three consecutive nights with his teammates and on each occasion while drunk assaulted a victim. The court was shown CCTV footage of all three incidents from the bar’s VIP area.

Just a couple of weeks prior to his criminal acts, Ratuniyarawa was a part of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup squad and even featured in a few matches at the tournament.

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DISGRACED RUGBY WORLD CUP STAR API RATUNIYARAWA