Sam Burgess: Former rugby league and union international found guilty of intimidation
The former dual code international has confirmed his intention to appeal
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Former England rugby league and rugby union international Sam Burgess has been convicted of intimidating his then-wife's father in an altercation in October 2019.
A New South Wales state magistrate found the 32-year-old Burgess had yelled a threat in Mitchell Hooke's face at Hooke's property south of Sydney.
Magistrate Robert Rabbidge found Hooke was an "impressive, believable and consistent" witness who gave "clear and concise" evidence.
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain in the National Rugby League was found guilty of intimidation, had a conviction recorded and was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.
"I'm confused with the decision, I will appeal the decision and I won't say anything further," Burgess said as he left the court on Friday.
In December 2015, Burgess married Phoebe Hooke and the couple had two children, a daughter and a son. The couple separated less than a month after their son was born in 2018.
They reconciled in April 2019 but split up for a second time in October 2019 and an apprehended violence order was taken out against Burgess on behalf of Mitchell Hooke.
Burgess retired in 2019 after a 270-game NRL and English Super League career and stints with England's national rugby union and rugby league sides. He quit as a television commentator and South Sydney assistant coach in October.
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments