Shocking details emerge about the alleged rape of a Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji
Shocking new details have emerged about the night a Fijian man posing as a taxi driver allegedly raped a Virgin Australia flight attendant.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Fijian man is accused of digitally raping a Virgin Australia flight attendant in the early hours of New Year’s Day after tricking her into thinking he was a taxi driver, a court has heard.
Ilaisa Tanoa Degei, 24, fronted Nadi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault over the 21-year-old crew member.
The woman, who this masthead has chosen not to name, had been celebrating the new year at Bar One, a nightclub in Nadi, during a layover when she became separated from her colleagues after about 1am on January 1.
Degei posed as a taxi driver and offered to give her a lift back to Tanoa International Hotel.
On Monday, Degei arrived at court in a police vehicle, dressed in a brightly-coloured shirt while trying to shield his face from the cameras.
Magistrate Maretta Tikoisuva and police prosecutor Sergeant Siteri agreed that the alleged offences were indictable and transferred the matter to Lautoka High Court.
He acknowledged the charges and asked Magistrate Tikoisuva for his forthcoming High Court case to be heard in Fijian, rather than in English or Hindi.
Degei was placed on remand at Natabua Corrections Centre in Lautoka until January 20, when his matter returns to court.
It comes as Fijian authorities are pressured to address the ongoing issue of ‘pirate taxis’ operating across the country.
Ashwin Lal, the general secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association, told local media unregistered cabs were a serious threat to public safety.
“We have been urging the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to clamp down on illegal taxi operators, but little has been done,” he said.
“The safety of the public is at stake, and we must ensure that only registered drivers are allowed to operate.”
Mr Lal said incidents involving fake cab drivers, including the alleged assault on New Year’s Eve, could tarnish the nation’s reputation as a tourist destination, particularly because holidaymakers rely on taxis to travel to and from the airport.
He warned tourists against using unregistered transport providers who were not trained or qualified to provide safe services, and called for strict enforcement against illegal operators.
The LTA’s CEO, Irimaia Rokosawa, said pirate taxis were illegal and would only continue to operate as long as there was a demand.
“By paying pirate taxi operators, passengers contribute to the problem. If there’s no demand, there won’t be any supply,” he said.
Bar One tried to distance itself from the alleged crimes but confirmed Virgin Australia flight crews were regulars at the venue.
“We would like to address the recent incident involving two crew members from Virgin Airlines,” the venue said in a social media post.
“While we acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, we feel it is important to clarify that this incident did not take place within Bar One, nor in the immediate vicinity of our establishment.
“The Virgin Airlines Crew are regular customers at Bar One and we have never experienced any similar incidents in the past, so it is disheartening to see our establishment portrayed in a negative light due to circumstances that (are) not directly related to our Bar.”
A male Virgin Australia flight crew member was also allegedly bashed and robbed on the same night after drinking at Bar One.
His wallet and phone were reportedly stolen when he walked down a nearby street in search of a taxi home.
The incident has raised questions about Fiji’s lockout laws, which forces everyone to leave at 1am instead of the previous 5am closing time.
Footage from the bar’s social media posts show hundreds of people gathering outside the bar at closing time.
Do you have a story? Email charlotte.karp@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Shocking details emerge about the alleged rape of a Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji
Family shock after dad blowtorched at front door in alleged attack
A friend has revealed how the family of a father-of-four, who was severely burned in an alleged attack, are coping, as two people have been arrested and charged. WARNING: GRAPHIC
Read more
Man behind iconic Australian brand dies
Tributes are flowing for Quiksilver founder, the surfwear pioneer Alan “Greeny” Green, who has died at his home from cancer, aged 77.
Read more