-
Robin Brooke - Source: Photosport -
Related
The family of an Australian teen allegedly assaulted by a former All Black when he objected to the rugby player's unwanted attention to a 15-year-old girl is reportedly preparing a civil suit.
Fiji Police Sergeant Suliano Tevita confirmed Robin Brooke is being investigated over the alleged sexual harassment of the Auckland girl at the Hilton Denaru on New Year's Eve.
The 15-year old girl had worked part-time to save her airfare to Fiji to stay with a schoolfriend whose father, Philip Buckleton, owns Beachside Resort at Nadi.
"We took the girls to Denarau for New Year because it had security and it was safe," Buckleton says.
The girls were sitting next to the pool when Brooke walked past and allegedly grabbed one on the buttocks.
"She yelled out something like `what the hell do you think you're doing, that's disgusting'. A short time later he came back and did exactly the same thing to the same girl, which she couldn't believe."
When the girl's 17-year old Australian friend, Jordan Whittaker, stepped in, Brooke told him to "settle down or I'll knock you the f....k out".
"He threw me on a deckchair and grabbed my throat ... one of the other girls went and got a guard ... he kept saying 'settle down' and eventually I just said 'no'."
The Herald on Sunday reports Jordan's family doubted charges will be laid and they have started civil proceedings.
Their lawyer, Peter Lowing OBE, sent an email to the 15-year old's mother saying Sydney lawyer Stuart Littlemore, QC, will be involved.
"On the advice of Mr Littlemore we would initially write to Mr Brooke asking for a written apology and an amount of money as compensation for the assault," Lowing said in the email.
"In all probability Mr Brooke would welcome the opportunity to come to some arrangement without allowing a writ to be served."
Lowing does not expect Fiji police to charge Brooke for reasons including his sporting background, the newspaper reports.
The girl's mother says they are considering joining in the civil proceedings.
"We are not interested in his Brooke's money. We won't accept any money," she told the newspaper.
"He actually hurt our daughter. It wasn't just a pinch on the bum - he physically hurt her and she was doing nothing to provoke that."
