Rugby player faces jail, deportation

Waimate rugby player Talitonu Faauuga Faapuea will serve a two-year jail term before he is sent home to Samoa in disgrace.

Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish said the 22-year-old was unlikely to ever be able to return after his jailing on sex charges.

He had been found not guilty on some sex charges in a jury trial in Timaru, but had already admitted kissing, digitally penetrating and performing oral sex on a 14-year-old girl.

As the trial began, he also admitted two further counts of doing an indecent act and unlawful connection with the girl.

He had been remanded in custody for sentencing today in Christchurch, where Judge Farish told him the law was in place to protect young people and he had known what he was doing was wrong.

Faapuea has been living in New Zealand since the start of last year, and has been playing for the Waimate Rugby Club.

Judge Farish jailed him for two years, and noted that although he was a first offender, and had an otherwise good character, he would be deported on the day of his release from prison.

He received a one-month concurrent jail term on a charge of unlawfully taking a car.

- NZPA