Guildford faces sex harrassment claim

Zac Guildford.
Zac Guildford.
Fresh allegations against Zac Guildford have been made by an international athlete in Rarotonga who claims the All Black harassed her to the point of making her feel unsafe.

Cook Islands' triathlete Kelly Pick has written a letter to the Cook Islands News published today in which she said Guildford drove past her "erratically'' on a motorbike while she was running around 5.30pm Friday night.

"Then Guildford proceeded to drive slowly past me, back and forth several times, shouting inappropriate sexual and defamatory comments to me. This carried on for about 1km. I told him to go away, to leave me alone. But he persisted in harassing me.''

Ms Pick said she was worried about his behaviour, so she went into a village store and didn't leave until Guildford had gone.

"I then continued on my run, but further down the road he appeared again on his motorbike and started the harassing again.

"His behaviour was totally inappropriate, to the point where I felt unsafe.''

Ms Pick's letter said Guildford was "obviously highly intoxicated'' and driving his rental scooter dangerously.

"I got back from [the] run totally shaken and angry that someone (whoever they are) feels they have the right to harass and leer at other people.

We don't need tourists like him on our island.''

Guildford last night broke his silence to apologise for his drunken rampage in Rarotonga - amid revelations he spent a night in a prison cell after earlier escaping from police officers.

Herald inquiries have uncovered the full extent of the All Black's bizarre and violent behaviour, and how it was triggered by a scooter key.

"I am truly sorry for what I did,'' the 22-year-old said in a statement, as he remained holed up and in bed in a five-star Cook Islands resort.

He is being helped by All Black coach Wayne Smith and team psychologist Gilbert Enoka, who are in the Cooks capital with their families.

Guildford was said to be too fragile to speak to the Herald but said in the statement: "I have no clear recollection of the events of that night, but there is no doubt that my behaviour was unacceptable and I am hugely embarrassed by what happened.''

Guildford apologised to those he offended on Friday night (NZT), the patrons and staff who witnessed his behaviour, and the Cook Islands people. "I also want to apologise to my family for the embarrassment my actions have caused.

"I don't want any sympathy for the situation I have ended up in, but I am thankful for the support I have received so far from so many people.

"It's obvious that I need help and I want to get home and to get that help as soon as I can. I need to sort myself out.''

The trouble started on Friday when police were called after complaints that Guildford was fighting with a friend about who had lost the key to their scooter.

Acting Police Commissioner Aka Matapo told the Herald police received calls on Friday about two people arguing and fighting on the side of the road.

"Apparently they had lost the key to their motorcycle so both of them were brought to the station for questioning,'' Mr Matapo said.

"While the driver was being questioned, the passenger wandered off from police.''

The passenger was Guildford - and a member of the public later called police to say a naked man was walking along the road.

Officers were sent to look for him.

"It was at Trader Jacks [bar] he was found, fully naked, with a cut on his face,'' said Mr Matapo.

At the bar, the naked and bleeding Guildford struck two men, one of them Australian Nick Cox, who was celebrating his 60th birthday.

He jumped on to the bar's stage - and finally seemed to realise he was wearing no clothes.

Restaurant staff wrapped an apron around his waist as he fled to the kitchen.

He was reportedly ushered away by a group of five women before police caught up with him again.

Mt Matapo said officers tried to take Guildford to hospital, but had to handcuff him after he became unruly and escaped, swimming through a lagoon before being caught again.

"On the way [to the hospital] there was a bit of a struggle with the two police officers and we eventually had to detain him.''

After being treated in hospital, Guildford was taken in handcuffs to the police station and locked in a grimy cell, which has a single bed and a toilet and obscenities scratched on the walls.

Mr Matapo said Guildford's detention was necessary to prevent any further breaches of the peace "and injuries to himself or members of the public''.

Mr Matapo said no charges were laid because police felt it wouldn't have been in the public interest or Guildford's for that to happen - although the decision was made before police learned about the assaults.

"At the time we weren't aware of an assault. If a complaint had been lodged, maybe we would have taken the matter from another angle.''

No complaints have been laid.

 

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