Australian Court Hears Case of Woman Found Naked After Alleged Two-Day Captivity
A man in Australia is currently standing trial after a woman was discovered naked on a suburban street, with prosecutors alleging she endured a harrowing two-day period of captivity, assault, and rape. The case is being heard by a jury at the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory, where 46-year-old Sisituutuumata Fulivai has pleaded not guilty to a total of 20 charges.
Police Encounter and Initial Response
According to police testimony presented in court, officers were on routine patrol in the Canberra suburb of Lyneham on the evening of June 10, 2024, when a naked woman ran toward them, screaming desperately for help. The officers reported that the woman appeared terrified and expressed a belief that she was going to die, prompting an immediate response to her distress.
Background of the Alleged Incident
Prosecutors outlined that the woman, who is in her mid-20s, had met Fulivai through a mutual friend just days before the alleged events. What began as what she initially perceived as a consensual encounter reportedly escalated dramatically after friends visited the home, triggering intense jealousy and violent behavior from the accused.
Details of the Alleged Assault and Captivity
Jurors were informed that the woman was subjected to repeated beatings over several hours, with household items such as metal objects and furniture used as weapons, resulting in visible bruising across her body. In recorded police interviews played during the trial, she described being struck continuously whenever she attempted to explain herself or ask for permission to leave the premises.
Further allegations include that the woman was forcibly stripped naked, threatened with a knife, and violently restrained despite her repeated pleas for release. She also claimed to have been choked until she lost consciousness on multiple occasions, only to awaken to ongoing sexual assaults.
Threats and Escape
The court heard that Fulivai allegedly threatened to kill both the woman and her family, stating he expected to return to prison and did not care about the consequences of his actions. The woman recounted that she eventually managed to escape when the suspect fell asleep, waking during daylight hours, quietly exiting the house, and running into the street while screaming for help, where police intercepted her almost immediately.
Trial Proceedings and Future Outlook
The trial is anticipated to continue throughout the week, with additional evidence and testimony scheduled to be presented to the jury as they deliberate on the serious charges. This case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the allegations and the graphic nature of the evidence being discussed in court.
