A weightlifter from Papua New Guinea who competed at the Commonwealth Games faces trial over an alleged sexual assault at a Glasgow supermarket
Glasgow: A Commonwealth Games weightlifter from Papua New Guinea is to go on trial in the host city of Glasgow this week, accused of sexually assaulting another man in a supermarket toilet.
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Toua Udia, 22, was arrested on July 21 following the alleged incident in a Tesco store near the athletes' village. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following day, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Sexual Offences Act.
He was granted bail after being ordered to hand over his passport, allowing him to join the Papua New Guinea team at the Games' opening ceremony on Wednesday, the BBC reported.
He also competed in the men's 77-kilogram category at the Clyde Auditorium on Sunday, coming ninth.
Following a second hearing on Monday, he is scheduled to go on trial on Friday, his lawyer confirmed.
A Police Scotland spokesman told AFP: "At around 5:10pm on July 21, police received a report of an incident at Tesco's supermarket on Dalmarnock Road, Rutherglen, Glasgow. "A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault."
Udia was quoted as telling Australia's Fairfax media that "it was an accident. I don't want to spoil my reputation."
Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper says the criminal case against Udia "certainly didn't impact on his ability to compete because there was no condition placed upon him."
Hooper added, "There is a presumption of innocence which we all enjoy."
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