French court postpones trial of rugby stars accused of gruesome gang rape

A French court on Monday adjourned the trial of rugby players accused of raping a student in 2017 after one of the main defendants was unable to appear in court following an accident.

The trial in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the scene of the alleged rape by then-members of the Grenoble team after a rugby match, was due to begin on Monday after a seven-year wait.

However, the court ordered that the trial should instead take place from December 2 to 13 after one of the main defendants, Irishman Denis Coulson, was unable to attend following a road accident last Wednesday.

“He had a very serious accident and is in hospital. We are not sure how the situation will develop,” said his lawyer Corinne Dreyfus-Schmidt.

One of the lawyers for the plaintiff, a woman who identifies only as V and is now 27, said the postponement was disappointing but necessary.

“Frankly, we cannot do without Coulson. If he had not done what he did, we would not be in court,” said lawyer Anne Cadiot-Feidt.

Former Grenoble players Coulson (30), New Zealander Rory Grice (34) and 29-year-old Frenchman Loick Jammes are accused of rape.

Two former teammates, 31-year-old Irishman Chris Farrell – a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning team at the 2018 Six Nations – and 30-year-old New Zealander Dylan Hayes are on trial for failing to prevent crime.

He also appeared to prevent her from getting back into the taxi twice.

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

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