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Former Kiwis rugby league player Tea Ropati says he's glad his court ordeals are over after admitting a drink driving charge today.
Ropati was today disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay a $620 fine and $130 of court costs when he appeared in Auckland District Court.
Today's appearance came a day after his acquittal by an Auckland District Court jury on six sex charges, including rape, following a seven-day trial.
The drink driving charge was laid after Ropati recorded a breath alcohol reading of 821 micrograms per litre of breath - almost twice the legal limit of 400mcg - after being stopped by police.
Ropati, who yesterday admitted in a statement that he had ongoing problems with alcohol, stayed behind a closed door in a court interview room outside the court itself for about 30 minutes this morning before his appearance.
He emerged after being told his cas e was due to be heard and appeared in the dock for less than five minutes.
He admitted the charge through his lawyer Gary Gotlieb, who said the drink driving charge happened when he had been going through a tough period .
His sentence reflected the fact it was his first drink driving offence and that he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Ropati's only words to media upon leaving the court today were "I am just relieved it's all over".
Police have defended their decision to bring a rape case against Ropati after Mr Gotlieb suggested the matter was only pursued because of his career as a rugby league star.
He was accused of raping a woman he met in a bar in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby in June 2006. The jury took 10 hours over two days to reach their verdicts after a week-long trial.
The Crown argued that Ropati took advantage of the woman, who was so intoxicated that she could not have consented to sexual activity with him.
The defence said a rape did not occur because Ropati stopped short of having full sex with the woman as he felt guilty on account of his wife, and the sexual activity that did take place was consensual.
Mr Gotlieb said the cases should never have been brought to court and he slammed the police adult sexual assault team which was formed about the time the woman made her complaint.
He said the unit was out to make a name for itself and police were out to prove themselves.
Mr Gotlieb also accused police of playing "hardball" with Ropati from the time the complaint was laid.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Beard denied that police were out to prove themselves with a celebrity scalp, saying there was enough evidence to take Ropati to court.
The family of the complainant said in a statement today that they were "extremely proud of her courage, not only for herself, but for all the other women in a vulnerable situation".
The family thanked the police and crown prosecution for their work, integrity and support.
"It is unfathomable for us to comprehend at this time, that our family member after going through such a difficult trial, continues to be denigrated by the defence team.
"This is a sad and unjust way in which to resolve what continues to be a very real and serious problem in our society.
- NZPA
