Cardiff court clears former All Black star Mils Muliaina of sex assault charges

Former New Zealand rugby international Mils Muliaina has been cleared of sexual assault today.

Proceedings against the 35-year-old World Cup winner were dropped after Cardiff Crown Court heard there was not enough evidence.

Mr Muliaina had been accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in Cardiff city centre in March.

The following month, the All Blacks legend was arrested by police moments after a European Challenge Cup quarter-final match.

Defending counsel John Charles Rees QC said the Crown’s case against his client had been “outrageous”.

He said: “He is a professional athlete whose reputation has been reduced while the complainant remains anonymous.

“The allegation was that her bottom had been fleetingly touched on a busy nightclub dance floor.

“He has denied doing anything wrong from beginning to end.”

The rugby star offered no thoughts about the woman who had made a complaint against him.

He said: “I don’t even know her and I don’t know what happened, but I wasn’t the person who had done what she said had happened.”

Mr Muliaina’s solicitor, Matthew De Maid, said the defence would be applying for costs in the case.