The Parramatta Eels would like to provide an update on Maika Sivo.
- Following today’s court hearing, the Club has been in discussions with Maika and his family in Fiji.
- Maika has been released from custody on bail but is unable to return to Australia prior to his next hearing in court. While it is understood that the statement of facts regarding the incident remains the same, Maika’s charge has been amended to indecent assault.
- Maika and the Club are respectful of Fijian law and we continue to offer our full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities.
- The Eels will continue to liaise with the NRL Integrity Unit and will provide a further update to stakeholders as the situation progresses.
Replies
But but but he is being charged with indecent assault
It's been updated to assault
If found guilty of tugging on a waitresses skirt cut him loose?
That may be true - in Australia. Geez it would be nice to see some fans show a bit of loyalty and support to our players, Addo Carr no thanks.
Do you understand the severity of the allegations against him? And you still want him gone from the club? You do realise he may choose to plead guilty don’t you?
It seems like you do in Fiji, the facts of the incident as the club understands it haven't changed only the charge has.
Hopefully, Sivo just "tugged" on her skirt and there was a misunderstanding - no poke to the thigh, touchy-feely stuff or similar.
In State v Bakewa [2019],Fijii Magistrate court, a first-time-offender fleetingly poked the buttocks of a woman (both fuly clothed), and convicted guilty of "Indecent Assault" with a 12 month prison sentence that was suspended for 2 years. The poke was deemed "non-penetrative and fleeting” to avoid a worse sentence.
A small sample of 50 cases, of "Indecent Assault" cases in Fijian Magistrate courts show 94% end in a guilty convinction with a prison sentence, but they're all much worse than Sivo's (e.g. touching womens' thighs, breast areas, private parts, a forced kiss, etc).Most of the time the judges accept woman's version of events if they're consistent.
PS: As an aside, in a theoretically wholly progressive egalitarian & equally just society: and the sexes were reversed. If Sivo gently slapped her in the face (with far less force than the waitress did) because she tugged on his skirt, would Sivo be free of any crime whatsoever & then be able to press "assault" charges against her, then land her in jail, fighting for bail; in court with her livelihood on the line.
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