Rapist jailed for six years

A rugby player who raped a woman in a Shropshire alleyway four years ago was today jailed for six years.

Watisoni Waqa Leqeti raped the woman on February 24, 2004.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard today the Fijian-born 28-year-old, who played for Newport Rugby Club, was out drinking in the town when he met the woman and her friend.

They went back to her friend’s flat where they listened to music and continued drinking.

When the woman left and decided to take a short-cut back to her father’s house, Leqeti followed her and pushed her into the unlit alleyway where he raped her.

Judge Robin Onions said the victim, who he described as being a lively, bubbly and friendly person before the attack, had suffered greatly.

“When the time came for her to leave, the route she chose she knew well because it was the quickest route to her father’s house in a nearby street,” he said.

“When she was walking down there, she was bundled into an unlit alleyway. It was an unpleasant offence which has had a prolonged and serious effect on her life.”

Leqeti, who has a wife and children in Fiji, was originally convicted for the offence in November 2004.

He served more than two years in prison before being released on appeal, when it emerged his translator had not given an accurate interpretation of his evidence.

He was retried in July where he was once again found guilty.

Judge Onions told Leqeti he would serve at least four years, with the time he had served following the original conviction and the second conviction being taken into account, meaning he could be free in two years.