Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton will plead not guilty to nine charges after facing court in the ACT, as the club confirmed he would continue to train and play.
Wighton, 25, briefly appeared in ACT Magistrates Court this morning to face nine charges including three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm and five assault charges against three named complainants as well as three unknown persons.
He is also charged with one count of public urination.
The charges relate to an altercation which is understood to have occurred outside a nightclub in Canberra in February this year.
At his first appearance today, Wighton’s lawyer told the court he would be pleading not guilty to all charges.
He was supported in court by Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, along with the club’s football manager Matt Ford and media manager Ben Pollack.
The club said Wighton would continue to train and play.
“The Raiders continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit and have informed them of the latest developments,” the club said in a statement.
He has been named in the starting team for this Saturday’s NRL match against Parramatta at GIO Stadium.
Wighton missed Canberra’s last game against Canterbury after his partner gave birth to their second child on the morning of the match.
He is contracted to the Raiders until the end of the 2020 season and has played 121 NRL games since making his debut in 2012.
In a press conference this morning, his teammates said they were not letting the allegations affect their preparations.
“He’s a strong lad and from what I see around in training, he’s doing awesome,” player Jordan Rapana said.
Luke Batman said: “He’s been going very well, as well as you can be.”
Wighton did not comment as he left court.
The case was adjourned and will return to court for hearing on July 10.
With AAP.
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