Justice Denied

Police Corruption In the UK

Doubtless for all of us there are some things which set the blood to boil.  Here is one of ours.  We despise the "perp walk" where the presumed guilty are paraded in public, before the media, to have their arrest or interrogation blazoned across the skies.  The Americans have made a fine art of this spectacle employed when a public figure has been apprehended. Let none doubt that the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is long gone.

The UK police have adopted similar practices.  Remember the "tip off" from the police to the media that singer, Cliff Richards's home was about to be raided.  (Richards was absent at the time.)  But the media had a helicopter in the sky to record it all.  Recently it was a New Zealander who suffered under their corrupt behaviour.  Mils Muliaina is a famous All Black--at least in rugby circles.  However, recently his name has been dragged through the mud because of the UK version of the "perp walk".  He was arrested at the conclusion of a rugby game in which he had played and charged with sexual assault.  "Naturally" the TV cameras were present to record the arrest.  Mmmm.  We wonder how the Repeaters knew that was going to go down.

Sexual assault is a charge which covers a broad spectrum of activity.
  It makes for a sensational headline. In Muliaina's case the alleged "assault" was an accusation that he had touched a 19 year old woman on her derrière whilst she was on a busy dance floor in a pub.  This from the NZ Herald:

After an appearance in the Cardiff Crown Court, an emotional Muliaina, who strenuously denied any wrongdoing, told reporters he'd had a tough seven months.  "When I first found out the charges the immediate thought was for my son. He should never have been put through what he went through.  I'm looking forward to going back to New Zealand in a few days. We want to put this behind us and move on. It's been a long process.  I don't know the girl or know what happened. All I know is that I'm not the person that had done what she said." . . . .

The fullback was arrested after the final whistle of his team's European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat at Gloucester in April.  Still in his team tracksuit, he was captured by TV cameras as he was led away to a police van.  "I always knew I never did anything wrong. The way I was treated, I suppose I was a bit aggrieved by it," Muliaina said.  "Not being able to comment publicly has been very frustrating. While I understand the police have a job to do, the manner in which I was arrested I find difficult to understand.  "I can still hold my head up high and, as the judge said, this is no stain on my character."

Why was the case dropped by the police, you may ask.  No evidence.  An anonymous accusation.  But no evidence.

Wales News reported Muliaina's defence lawyer John Charles Rees, QC, saying the decision to prosecute was "outrageous".  "It has been nothing but wholly inefficient conduct by the [Crown Prosecution Service].  My client's reputation has been traduced while the complainant remains anonymous."

Muliaina wanted the trial to go ahead, so he could be found not guilty and clear his name, Mr Rees said.  "It's just wrong that they've now offered no evidence at this late stage. My client has had this matter hanging over his head for some time.  He's a professional rugby player and this case has done damage to his reputation."

Not insufficient evidence.  No evidence.  Nada.  Zip.  His NZ agent also weighed in:

Muliaina's New Zealand-based agent Simon Porter this morning added his voice to the criticism of the public manner of the arrest.  "I could not be happier for Mils and those closest to him," said Mr Porter, of the Essentially Group.  "Of course the police must investigate any allegation and no one is above the law.  However, as a lawyer, I have found it difficult to reconcile the manner of his arrest with the presumption of innocence.

"It was simply unnecessary to drag him off a rugby pitch under intense global media scrutiny. Unfortunately, it was a demonstration of police grandstanding at its worst," Mr Porter said.  "Mils is an outstanding individual and his patience and willingness to co-operate with the Cardiff police over the last seven months is testament to this.

"I always knew this day would come. Throughout the ordeal Mils has always held his head high and maintained his dignity. Now hopefully Mils, his family, friends and supporters can move on."

What we can't move on from is the disreputable conduct of the Welsh police and their lackeys.  It's a pity Muliaina cannot secure damages from the police.  An arrest is one thing.  An arrest in the light of media glare due to a "judicious" tip off is quite another.  An arrest with no evidence leaves one incredulous.