Scott Kuggeleijn declared not guilty in rape trial

New Zealand’s domestic all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn can breathe a sigh of relief as he has been found not guilty of rape by a jury of six men and six women at the Hamilton District Court. 25-year old Kuggeleijn plays for Northern Districts in the New Zealand’s domestic fixtures. He is the son of former Kiwi Test cricketer Chris Kuggeleijn, who played 2 Test matches and 16 ODIs.

The discussion longed for less than an hour in which Scoot was declared not guilty of the act. The cricketer was remanded on bail two years earlier after pleading not guilty before the court on two separate charges in March and May.

The petitioner had said that she met the cricketer at a party and the two ended up back at her house. She said she was intoxicated. The woman told the jury that the defendant asked for sex and she said no, but on waking next morning, the accused tried to initiate sex again and ended up raping her.

The cricketer declined to comment outside the Hamilton court but did say that he was feeling “good” after the verdict was out. His family members also declined to comment but Kuggeleijn’s mother, Jenny Scown, said as she left the court: “It’s a good day.”

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Kuggeleijn had earlier ruled himself out of the New Zealand A v Pakistan game in November due to impending trial. He has represented Northern Districts in 48 first-class matches so far, averaging 32 with the willow and 33 with the ball.

In a release following the verdict in favor of the cricketer, Northern Districts’ chief executive Peter Roach said: “This has been a terribly difficult situation for all concerned. Northern Districts is an organisation which embraces inclusivity and promotes respect towards women. As such, the charges against Scott were a grave concern.”