Berkeley Vale: Rugby union player Elekana Laupola denies violent home invasions, choking and threatening ex with a knife

A representative Central Coast rugby union player allegedly broke into his ex-partner’s home and threatened her with a knife before assaulting and choking her, a court has heard.

Central Coast rugby union player Elekana Laupola has pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of domestic violence. Picture: Troy Snook

Former Terrigal Trojans and Central Coast representative forward Elekana Laupola will face trial next year after pleading not guilty to a raft of serious domestic violence-related charges.

The 31-year-old faced Wyong Local Court via video link on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to 16 charges.

According to court documents Laupola, of Long Jetty, allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s Berkeley Vale house in the early hours of October 7 and 8 last year.

The charges sheets allege Laupola was armed with a kitchen knife on one occasion which he used to intimidate her before choking and assaulting her causing actual bodily harm.

Police will further allege in court Laupola smashed her iPhone 13 Max Pro on September 26 last year, before assaulting her and intentionally choked her between 10.30pm and 11pm the following day to the point where he “rendered her incapable of resistance”.

Wyong local court house.

Laupola was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with the offences on October 8.

He will face Gosford District Court on December 19 for arraignment to fix a trial date some time next year.