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Offender Databases Quentin Ruruku

Quentin Ruruku

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Offences

Assaulted and threatened to kill a young Levin woman in front of her children in January 2006

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1981

Current Location

At large in Levin

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to six months in May 2006
Home Detention application declined
Released August 2006 at statutory release date

Background
NZ Herald story here
Manawatu Standard story 31st May 2006
Central Falcons rugby league forward Quentin Ruruku has been jailed for six months after being found guilty of assaulting a woman. The incident has embarrassed Central Falcons officials, who say they didn't realise the seriousness of the the assault and allowed Ruruku to continue playing while he was on bail from his first court appearance in January. He was not stood down until after his appearance in the Levin District Court on May 3, when he was sentenced to a six-month jail term.

Falcons chief executive Dan Burton was embarrassed by his club's slowness to act. "We knew he was tied up in an incident of some kind, but not one of this seriousness. When we found out, we acted immediately and stood him down," he said. "We will not put up with that kind of behaviour." After being questioned by the Manawatu Standard, the Central Falcons board issued a statement reiterating it was unaware of the seriousness of the offence. "On knowledge of the incident, Mr Ruruku was stood down immediately from the franchise, with no intention of reinstating him.

"The Central Falcons are extremely disappointed with Mr Ruruku's actions and will not condone nor tolerate such behaviour from any player or member within the franchise. "We are appalled with the actions of Mr Ruruku and extend our sincere apologies and compassion to the victim and her family."

The complainant in Ruruku's case told the Manawatu Standard she had been visiting friends in Levin when Ruruku came to the property, confronted her and knocked her out. When she regained consciousness, she was lying on the ground and could feel other blows landing on her body. She was taken to hospital with bruising and swelling and for some time after required physiotherapy. Her jaw wouldn't open properly and her back was injured when it became twisted during the assault.

She said her two daughters, aged four and seven, were with her at the time. Ruruku had not apologised, she said.

The woman, 27, who has since moved away from Levin, likened the incident to that involving Australian rugby league and Kiwi international Tevita Latu, who was sacked by the Cronulla Sharks last week hours after he admitted he punched a 19-year-old woman in the face. Ruruku's victim said that while Tevita Latu's victim suffered a broken nose, her own injuries were more severe. Ruruku has been given leave by the court to apply for home detention and it is understood that a hearing will be held on June 12.

Manawatu Standard, July 9, 2007
A Central Falcons league player kicked out of the franchise last year after beating a woman unconscious is back in the team - despite the club saying it had "no intention of reinstating him". Quentin Ruruku was jailed for six months in May, last year, after being found guilty of assaulting the woman in January. The victim said she had been visiting friends in Levin when Ruruku came to the property, confronted her and knocked her out.

When the woman regained consciousness, she was lying on the ground as blows continued to rain down on her, she said. She was taken to hospital with bruising and swelling and required physiotherapy for some time after the attack. Ruruku was arrested but continued playing for the Falcons while on bail. He was stood down from the side after being sentenced in the Levin District Court on May 3, last year, to six months in prison.

A statement released by the Central Falcons board soon after said it was unaware how serious the incident was before Rukuru was imprisoned. "On knowledge of the incident, Mr Ruruku was stood down immediately from the franchise, with no intention of reinstating him," it said. But Ruruku is out of prison and back playing for the team. Despite being behind bars for most - if not all - of his "suspension", Falcons general manager Dan Burton yesterday said Ruruku was only stood down for the 2006 season. "At the beginning of the 2007 Barter Cup season, Quentin approached Central Falcons management expressing his desire to represent the franchise again and to have the opportunity to play rugby league at a national level," Mr Burton said. "After discussions with the franchise management it was evident Ruruku was aware he'd let both himself and his team mates down during the previous season and was seeking the opportunity to redress that situation."

The team had lost 12 of last season's starting 13 players and was lacking leadership and experience, he said. "Ruruku brings both those attributes to the team and he's given the franchise tremendous service in the past." It was therefore decided to let Ruruku back in the team, Mr Burton said. The Falcons are firmly fixed at the bottom of this year's Barter Cup competition, having not registered a win in the first 12 games of the season.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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