By Jessica McSweeney and Riley Walter
A man who Fiji police allege sexually assaulted a Virgin Australia crew member has been remanded in custody after facing court for the first time.
Dressed in a bright “Bula shirt”, Ilaisa Tanoa Degei faced Nadi Magistrates Court on Monday charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of rape over the alleged attack on a 21-year-old flight attendant following New Year’s Eve celebrations at Nadi’s Bar One nightclub.
Ilaisa Tanoa Degei faced a Fiji court on Monday.Credit: Baljeet Singh/The Fiji Times
Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva adjourned Degei’s matter until January 20 after prosecutors opposed bail because both charges are indictable offences, The Fiji Times reported. The 24-year-old farmer will appear in the country’s High Court.
In a separate incident, another member of the Virgin crew also alleged they were assaulted during the night out in Nadi, telling police they were robbed and suffered facial injuries outside Bar One.
Virgin Australia said it was aware of an incident and its focus was the wellbeing of staff. The crew members, their families and the Virgin Australia support staff have all returned home to Australia.
Degei was remanded in custody to face Fiji’s High Court.Credit: The Fiji Times
Bar One management distanced itself from both incidents, saying the alleged sexual assault and robbery did not take place inside the popular 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 is not directly related to our bar,” said a statement posted on Facebook.
“We appreciate the support of our loyal customers during this time, and we remain committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who walks through our doors.”
The incident comes two weeks after a group of tourists, including four Australians, fell ill after drinking pina coladas at the Warwick Fiji resort on the coral coast.
The cause of the illness is unclear, with no methanol detected during testing of the drinks.
Despite Australians being caught up in both incidents, the federal government hasn’t changed its travel advice. Fiji authorities have been quick to reassure tourists the country is safe to visit.
“Regrettably, incidents like this can happen anywhere, and Fiji is not immune,” Fiji’s Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said after the incident involving the Virgin crew.
“We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.”
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