A former rugby union player accused of being the ringleader of a gang rape says he didn't have sex with the alleged victim, but he thinks his mates did.
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Simon Vunilagi is among four men on trial in the ACT Supreme Court over the alleged attack, which a young woman says happened at a Downer unit in the early hours of November 3, 2019.
He faces the most charges of all the group: 10 counts of rape and one act of indecency. Josefa Navunisinu Masivesi, 45, and Ratu Jone Pio Macanawai, 25, have each pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, while Isimeli Ilimeleki Natuwawa Vatanitawake, 22, has denied one.
Mr Masivesi also faces an act of indecency charge.
On Friday, the court was shown footage of Mr Vunilagi's interview with police in December last year. He told Senior Constable Nicole Linden he remembered going with the young woman from Mooseheads to Mr Masivesi's unit, where they started kissing.
He said the young woman - who barrister Steven Whybrow has suggested was out to "pick up" that night - gave him oral sex, but he didn't follow through with intercourse.
Instead, he said the woman "asked for one of the boys" to come into the bedroom. He said: "I opened the door and said, 'Which one do you want?'"
Mr Vunilagi said Mr Vatanitawake came in and had sex with the woman, while she continued to give him oral sex. He said Mr Macanawai followed and the woman was "riding" him, before Mr Masivesi was the last man in.
"I think [Mr Masivesi and the young woman] were having sex," Mr Vunilagi told police.
Mr Vunilagi said the woman approached him afterwards, upset, and said, "I only asked for one of you". He told police she'd said she wanted to have sex with him and Mr Vatanitawake.
"I asked her, 'Do you want us both here with you?'," he said.
"And then [Mr Vatanitawake] came in."
READ MORE:
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- Barrister suggests engaged woman was out to 'pick up' before alleged gang rape
- 'You could have called Triple 0': Barrister tries to discredit alleged gang rape victim
- Fijian music drowned out woman's screams as she was gang raped in a Canberra unit, court told
The former rugby union player said he didn't realise if the woman had said "stop" at any point because he was so intoxicated, but if he had heard her say stop, he would have.
Mr Vunilagi's version of events is in stark contrast to the version of the young woman, who says she was effectively trapped in the house while the four men raped her.
She says Fijian music was turned up to drown out her cries and screams, but she eventually managed to "powerwalk" out of the house and ask a stranger for help.
The trial continues.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
