Ulster Rugby trial -continued

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New thread.

As this evidence has been presented to the judge and then dismissed from being presented to jurors as part of the case, it cannot be considered NEW evidence in any trial - is that right?

So the only way this evidence could be used in a trial is if further evidence was discovered that necessitated a retrial (may have terminology wrong) and then the prosecution could then petition the judge to include it that time. So this evidence in and of itself isn't going to land them in prison?

Yes I think you are right.

Though I would wonder if it would be possible to question the judge's decision to not show it to the jury. Though not a lawyer so I have no idea if that is even possible.

I just can't work out how the reporting of this evidence can undermine the verdict.

I suspect if released the information will further damn their character

Good point. The review by UR into their behaviour hasn’t yet finished. This info, whatever it is, could impact the outcome of that review and so the lawyers will be fighting tooth and nail to suppress it.

My DC currently attend Methody - the school are having a big 150 year anniversary coming up, with loads of celebrations and a special book which you can order.
Will be interesting to see if there is any mention of the "top shaggers" or if that chapter is now being hastily removed.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/commonwealth-games-swimmer-rape-women-sex-friend-latest-otto-putland-a8289861.html

More "top shaggers" from the world of sport.

Something being suggested on twitter is that it might show a pattern. The example being that if you have 20 convictions for theft that might be held back from the jury.

I suppose that would make sense if one or more of them has previously been investigated or had allegations made against them.

I doubt their behaviour that night was a one off so I suppose it is possible.

The evidence presented to the judge, but is then dismissed from being shown to the jury.
Why would this be ?
I am not well up on law. Either Uk or Irish ( I'm in Republic of Ireland )

kikashi FFS

Timeline of messages.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/worst-night-ever-raped-full-12272939

Just went onto Malone RFC Facebook. Here are a few publicly shared photos from their victory.

Sorry the middle is from a newspaper but the other two are from their page.

I am now wondering if I have very lucky or terribly naive that the "rugger buggers" I used to knock around with back in the day seemed like lads who liked a drink, did dumb things (usually involving a propensity for public nudity or demonstrating how strong they are) but would have been horrified at how these men treated that poor woman, and if they found out that any of their team mates had behaved like that they would have been completely snubbed.

Sassh that is unbelievable when you read it like that. Also in Belfast slang it really sounds like they were taking drugs ‘did you tell them we were fucked? ‘No just said we were drinking’ hmmm

Has anyone listened to the second captain podcast? Only had chance to listen to first half, but actually first time have heard someone explain the lifestyle around being a young male sports star, the adulation from a young age, the agents smoothing and fixing everything, promising to make anything nasty go away. And the girls throwing themselves at them in clubs. There’s no way to excuse it, but I have been struggling with how to understand the level of entitlement and the podcast gave an interesting if pretty horrifying insight.

Am I right in thinking that previous allegations can only be made known to the jury if witnesses are called to give evidence of good character?

Thanks for linking that sassh

“Fucked” is drugs. No doubt about it.

Also, I know none of them come across well in those messages but that fella McIlroy sounds like the most annoying, irritating, pain in the arse needy git ever! What age is he?? Asking all those bloody questions and then “ooh what happened last night? Where’d you go?” Etc. WTF?? Your mates are being questioned by police for a serious sexual assault which you were party to and you want to know how their night out went?? Da fuck is wrong with you??

Previous convictions can be in those circumstances (generally)
Previous allegations can’t because they’re not proven, they’re just that unsubstantiated allegations.

Surely it's too risky for sportsmen to take drugs? They could be drug tested at any stage.

Mind you, drugs might explain how Olding was able to stay up so long with that amount of drink taken. And it's well known that certain drugs like cocaine bring out a nasty, violent and egotistical side in people's personalities.

Surely it's too risky for sportsmen to take drugs? They could be drug tested at any stage.

As far as I know they had just come back from a tour and were on official time off so probably had a reasonable expectation of not being tested for anything for a few days or whatever.

Fucked is also regularly used to mean hammered in Ireland

If the height of the substance to the drugs rumours is then using “Fucked” then that’s beyond paper thin

I think when you read it in context of Harrison’s reply then it is pretty clear they don’t mean drunk.

There’s one thing I found a bit odd in those messages. After Olding is asked that disgusting question and he says about spit roasting and merrygo-rounds, his friend says he knew it was olding’s lucky night. Is that suggesting Olding normally doesn’t manage to “pull” on a night out? If having sex with a woman means it’s his lucky night that implies it’s a very rare event.