The Pro D2 clubs which employ ex-Grenoble players sentenced to heavy sentences for rape reserve “the right to make additional decisions based on future legal developments”.
Three ex-Rugby players from Grenoble were sentenced on Friday to 12 to 14 years of criminal imprisonment for raping a young woman in 2017 in Bordeaux, after a very alcoholic evening which followed a Top 14 match. Denis Coulson and Frenchman Loïck Jammes were sentenced to 14 years in prison, and New Zealander Rory Grice to 12 years. Coulson is now 30 years old and has worked in construction, while Jammes (30 years old) and Grice (34 years old) still play rugby, the first at Provence Rugby and the second at Oyonnax, two Pro D2 clubs.
The Gironde Assize Court also sentenced the Irishman Chris Farrell to 4 years in prison, two of which were suspended, and the New Zealander Dylan Hayes to two years suspended, for having witnessed all or part of the events without intervening. . Farrell, 31, is also an Oyonnax player; Dylan Hayes, 30, has retired from sports and is currently unemployed.
“We reserve the right to make additional decisions”
In the wake of this verdict, the Oyonnax and Provence clubs reacted to the convictions of their players. The Haut-Bugey club thus declared that it “has taken note of the judgment pronounced this Friday, December 13 by the Assize Court of Gironde concerning Rory Grice and Chris Farell. Following this court decision, the club informs that it will communicate in the coming days concerning the consequences of the Assize Court's judgment on the future of the two players. No further comments will be made on this matter.”
For its part, the Aix-en-Provence club also “has taken note of the verdict rendered today by the Assize Court of Gironde concerning Loïck Jammes, convicted of gang rape dating from 2017. Faced with the seriousness of this case, we would first like to express our sincere thoughts for the complainant and reaffirm our commitment against all forms of violence.” And to add: “The club obviously respects the possibility of appeal in this matter. In accordance with our values and our responsibilities, we reserve the right to make additional decisions based on future legal developments.”
