A sergeant of the British army raped a female colleague while she shared a bed after an evening out in a bar in Belize, a court of war heard.
Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu attacked his fellow soldier on a 'spontaneous' off-Duty trip to the Caribbean coast while they were both stationed in the Central American country, a panel was told.
After a long drive, the couple went outside and Sgt Viavialevu – from the Welsh Guards – 'drank heavily' before they returned to the room he had booked that only one double bed had.
During the night, Sgt Viavialevu started the alleged attack by 'scooping' the victim, who tried to get rid of him before kissing her neck and removed her clothes to continue the meeting, the court was told.
The soldier, who cannot be mentioned for legal reasons, said that Sgt Viavialevu 'just did not listen' despite the fact that she asked him to stop repeatedly and she felt that she had 'no chance' to escape.
The Military Court of Bulford, Wiltshire, heard that the sergeant held her arms during the attack to prevent them from leaving.
Sgt Viavialevu denies one count of rape and one count of sexual violence through penetration. He claims that nothing sexual happened between him and the soldier.
A sergeant of the British army raped a female colleague while she shared a bed after an evening out in a bar in Belize, a court of war heard. Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu attacked his fellow soldier on a 'spontaneous' off-duty trip to the Caribbean coast. Displayed: Sergeant Tauhakau Viavialevu Buiten Bulford Military Court
Sgt Viavialevu denies one count of rape and one count of sexual violence through penetration. He claims that nothing sexual happened between him and the soldier. Shown: Viavialevu will receive the accumulated Campagnevice from Prince Charles in 2019
Officer -Kolonel Jim Carmichael said that the female soldier was not “initially disturbed” by sharing a bed with Sgt Viavialevu.
Col Carmichael said: “[The victim] And Sgt Viavialevu decided to make a journey through the Belize coast.
“They went to a bar, Sgt Viavialevu drank heavily and got drunk, she didn't have much to drink.
'Sgt Viavialevu had booked a room with one double bed, which initially did not bother her.
“In the early hours she was in bed and Sgt Viavialevu started to spoon her, she tried to ignore him by lying on her front.”
He continued: 'She told him she was not in the mood, Sgt Viavialevu then put his hands in her underwear.
'She tried to keep her legs closed, but Sgt Viavialevu forced her legs open and penetrated her with his fingers.
“She repeatedly told him he had to stop, Sgt Viavialevu took off her shorts, he was too strong, [the victim] Did not want to do this.
“He pulled down his own boxer shorts and pushed his penis into her vagina, he held her arms.”
Col Carmichael told the court the next day that Sgt Viavialevu acted as if nothing had happened and the couple continued their journey, in separate rooms, before they returned to the base.
Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard that the sergeant held her arms during the attack to stop her
The soldier initially tried to continue her work as normal, but a few months later the case decided to report after Sgt Viavialevu had hit her on the bottom.
She said she felt 'angry' that she could not defend herself and that Sgt Viavialevu seemed to be a 'other person' during the attack in a video interview at the martial council.
In the police interview she said: “I just thought” there is nothing that I can do. “
“I kept saying” you can stop, “he just didn't listen to me.
“I felt hopeless, I knew I wouldn't have a chance against him.
'I was angry with myself because I could not defend myself, I was angry with him because this was not the person I thought I knew.
“It was as if he had seen red, his eyes didn't look the same, I felt that I was looking at another person.”
The process continues.
