Ex-top rugby player allegedly pushed his way into woman's home and raped her

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to an alleged sexual assault.

A former top rugby player was refused bail after he was accused of pushing his way into a woman’s home before sexually and indecently assaulting her.

Paula Fala Kata, a 36-year-old who used to play in Tonga’s national rugby team, had been messaging the woman over social media, telling her he wanted to visit her, although she told him not to, police allege in court documents.

But on Sunday morning (30 June), she was allegedly woken by noises out the front of her home and a knock at the front door.

She opened the door to allegedly find Mr Kata standing outside and asked him what he was doing there, but he pushed past her to get inside.

The woman allegedly asked what he was doing there again, and told him he “had to go”, “no” and pushed him away when he repeatedly tried to kiss her.

But it is alleged he held her still to kiss her, then groped her before digitally raping her.

She said she felt scared and continued to plead with him before she was able to push him off and back out through the front door.

Mr Kata allegedly made what police describe as “a sad face” at her before she closed the door.

The woman went to police straight away and before going to hospital later that day, where a medical examination allegedly found injuries to her genitals.

Mr Kata was arrested on Sunday and was handed two counts of committing an act of indecency without consent and one count of sexual intercourse without consent when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (1 July).

He applied for bail and his lawyer, Gillian Bilton from Legal Aid, said he worked as a concreter in Canberra and lived in Wright.

She said there was nothing to suggest he wouldn’t comply with bail conditions and he had no criminal history.

The prosecutor opposed bail, saying he was a foreign national from Tonga who had been charged with serious alleged offences, which increased the likelihood that he would want to leave the country.

She also said Mr Kata knew where the woman lived, and she had expressed concerns for her safety and welfare.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston refused bail, saying he was not satisfied bail conditions could address the alleged risk of reoffending or endangering the woman’s safety.

Mr Kata was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 23 July. No pleas were entered.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.