Ropatis considering prosecution of rape accuser

Tea Ropati's family are considering private prosecutions against the woman who accused the former rugby league star of rape and her friends who gave evidence against him at trial.

During Ropati's week-long sex trial at the Auckland District Court, the woman and her friends admitted snorting cocaine on the night she claimed she was raped.

But Ropati's brother, barrister John Ropati, told the Sunday Star-Times yesterday police had ignored the women's class A drug use. If police were going to turn a blind eye, Ropati's family would consider prosecuting them privately, he said.

The trial ended on Thursday with a jury acquitting Ropati, 42, of three counts of sexual violation, including one of rape, and three counts of attempted sexual violation.

The complainant, who has permanent name suppression, alleged Ropati sexually violated her after they met at a Ponsonby bar on June 15, 2006. She was 36 at the time.

Ropati's lawyer Gary Gotlieb argued the sexual activity between the two was consensual, although both were drunk.

John Ropati said the prosecution went ahead only because of his brother's high profile as a Kiwi rugby league player.

"He had a high profile, he has a well-known sporting family. It's what the media love. So this chick cried rape and [the police] saw an opportunity. If it was Hohepa from Otara there would not have been this huge fanfare.

"Obviously, we have issues with the women and their drug use. If they want to play the system, as individuals we may have to consider private prosecutions.

"The police have not offered any explanation as to why they are not doing anything about it. It is a class A drug. It's outrageous. They are the oldest teenagers in town - grow up for goodness sake."

He said Ropati and his wife Vanessa were trying to put the allegations behind them and get on with their lives.

"It's been one of those things that been going on forever. The result was favourable, thank goodness. He is rebuilding both his personal life and his professional one.

"They say what does not kill you makes you stronger I think that applies to everyone."

Meanwhile, the employer of Ropati's other brother, Peter, would not comment on whether the league commentator would be disciplined for an outburst in court when the verdicts of not guilty were read.

The Sky Sport broadcaster was ordered out of court on Thursday after he called out that the case was absolute rubbish and "right from the start, it should never have been".

- © Fairfax NZ News