Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been charged with driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at or report a collision.

Grealish is set to appear in court on August 25 following an alleged incident when he breached lockdown regulations on March 29.

The midfielder was pictured on social media on a Birmingham street next to a Range Rover, which had apparently collided with two parked cars.

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Grealish apologised and said he was “deeply embarrassed” after it emerged he had visited a friend’s house, breaching government rules that were imposed to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

West Midlands Police launched an investigation and on Thursday revealed the playmaker, linked with Manchester United, has been charged.

“A Premier League footballer has been charged with driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at or report a collision,” a police statement said. “Jack Grealish is accused of the offences in Waterside, Dickens Heath, Solihull, on Sunday March 29.

“An investigation was launched after we responded to reports of a car hitting parked vehicles and the driver fleeing on foot. The 24-year-old from Barnt Green, Worcestershire, has been postal charged to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on August 25.”

Grealish donated £150,000 to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and raised £55,000 for the NHS by raffling off one of his shirts after breaching lockdown regulations soon after they were imposed.

He has said he regrets breaking coronavirus lockdown protocols, but also stresses that he is “still human and we all make mistakes”.

“I knew straight away that I had to come out and apologise myself, which I wanted to do; I didn’t want to hide behind a club statement,” Grealish told The Guardian earlier this month. “I am old enough now and mature enough to know that I’d done wrong.

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“I know I am a footballer but I’m still human and we all make mistakes and straight away I knew I’d made a mistake. I’m also a role model as well to a lot of people out there, especially young children who might look up to me.

“So I try to act in a respectable manner but since then I have tried to keep my head down, work hard and do as much charitable work as possible.”

He played in Villa’s goalless draw with Sheffield United behind closed doors at Villa Park on Wednesday, the first game of the Premier League season since it was suspended in March.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been charged with driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at or report a collision.

Grealish is set to appear in court on August 25 following an alleged incident when he breached lockdown regulations on March 29.

The midfielder was pictured on social media on a Birmingham street next to a Range Rover, which had apparently collided with two parked cars.

Article continues below

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Grealish apologised and said he was “deeply embarrassed” after it emerged he had visited a friend’s house, breaching government rules that were imposed to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

West Midlands Police launched an investigation and on Thursday revealed the playmaker, linked with Manchester United, has been charged.

“A Premier League footballer has been charged with driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at or report a collision,” a police statement said. “Jack Grealish is accused of the offences in Waterside, Dickens Heath, Solihull, on Sunday March 29.

“An investigation was launched after we responded to reports of a car hitting parked vehicles and the driver fleeing on foot. The 24-year-old from Barnt Green, Worcestershire, has been postal charged to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on August 25.”

Grealish donated £150,000 to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and raised £55,000 for the NHS by raffling off one of his shirts after breaching lockdown regulations soon after they were imposed.

He has said he regrets breaking coronavirus lockdown protocols, but also stresses that he is “still human and we all make mistakes”.

“I knew straight away that I had to come out and apologise myself, which I wanted to do; I didn’t want to hide behind a club statement,” Grealish told The Guardian earlier this month. “I am old enough now and mature enough to know that I’d done wrong.

“I know I am a footballer but I’m still human and we all make mistakes and straight away I knew I’d made a mistake. I’m also a role model as well to a lot of people out there, especially young children who might look up to me.

“So I try to act in a respectable manner but since then I have tried to keep my head down, work hard and do as much charitable work as possible.”

He played in Villa’s goalless draw with Sheffield United behind closed doors at Villa Park on Wednesday, the first game of the Premier League season since it was suspended in March.

Aston Villa footballer Jack Grealish has been charged with two driving offences over a car crash during the coronavirus lockdown.

The 24-year-old is due to appear in court accused of driving without due care and attention and failing to stop at or report a collision, West Midlands Police said.

An investigation was launched after reports of a car hitting parked vehicles and the driver fleeing on foot in Solihull on 29 March, according to the force.

Grealish issued a public apology following the incident, which happened a day after he had posted a video urging people to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Villa captain said he had “stupidly agreed” to go to a friend’s house and was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions.

He will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 25 August.

At the time of the incident, West Midlands Police said two parked cars had been left with minor damage.

Aston Villa later released a statement confirming Grealish – their star player – would be disciplined and fined, with the money going to a local charity.

“Aston Villa is deeply disappointed that one of our players ignored the government’s guidance on staying at home during the coronavirus crisis,” a club statement read.

“Club captain Jack Grealish has accepted that his decision to leave his house was wrong and entirely unnecessary. It breached the government guidelines which are clear and should be adhered to by everybody.”

Grealish played for Villa in the first Premier League match since before the lockdown on Wednesday evening – a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United.

Before the match, both sets of players and the referee “took a knee” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Robinson, from South Ockendon, Essex, admitted engaging in sexual activity with the teenager in Bradford in August 2018.

He also entered a guilty plea to making and distributing an indecent image of a child via Snapchat on the same date.

He denied a further charge of distributing an indecent photograph of a child in December 2017, and the court heard the prosecution will not proceed with this count.

The winger, who was sacked by Bradford for gross misconduct after he was charged by police in February, arrived at court wearing a black face mask, white trainers, a dark red coat and cropped, grey, checked trousers.

He was granted bail until his sentencing and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register before he left court.

Judge Jonathan Rose said: “Dealing with you Robinson, you pleaded guilty to all matters save the last count. The prosecution will not seek to try you on that count.

“Your case is now adjourned to be sentenced.”

He continued: “You must not assume that the fact that I’m adjourning sentence and granting you bail is to mean that any particular sentence will be imposed upon you.

“All options will be open to the judge who deals with your case, and that will very much include the possibility of a prison sentence.”

A second defendant, Korrie Berman, 21, from Essex, pleaded not guilty to five charges of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child.

He will go on trial on April 12 next year.

Bradford City declined to comment following today’s hearing. 

He was charged with engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child, making an indecent image of a child and two counts of distributing an indecent image of a child.

Robinson was not asked to enter pleas to any of the four counts.

He was unable to be heard by the court but they could see him on the screen and he indicated that he understood the charges.

The District Judge ordered Robinson to appear in person at the hearing at Bradford Crown Court.

His bail was enlarged on condition he lives at his home address so that letters from the court will reach him.

Robinson’s co-accused, Korrie Berman, appeared before the magistrates at a separate hearing this morning.

Berman, 21, of Barnmead Meadow, Grays, Thurrock, must also attend at Bradford Crown Court on June 16.

Robinson faces the following four charges:

• On 13/08/2018 at Bradford, being a person aged 18 or over, intentionally touched a girl aged 14, not reasonably believing she was 16 or over, the touching being sexual and involving the penetration of her vagina with a part of your body, namely your penis.
• On 13/08/2018 at Bradford made an indecent photograph, namely one Category A image recovered from snapchat stories, of children.
• On 13/08/2018 at Bradford distributed an indecent photograph, namely Category A image via Snapchat to Berman, of children
• On 17/12/2017 at Bradford distributed an indecent photograph, namely Category A video of a child.

Berman is charged with five offences of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 at Bradford.

NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been charged with firearms offences following a police investigation into the players’ controversial camping trip.

The high-profile South Sydney and Melbourne players were caught flouting COVID-19 guidelines after spending the weekend with several other men in Taree.

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Alongside photos of the gathering, Addo-Carr shared videos on social media of him shooting a gun.

Police will claim Mitchell gave a firearm to a person not authorised to use it, and he has now had his licence suspended and a number of guns seized by police.

The players have been issued notices to appear in court on August 4.

“Yesterday, officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation into alleged breaches of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW),” NSW police said.

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“During the course of the investigation, police were alerted to alleged offences under the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW).”

Mitchell attended Taree police station on Tuesday morning, where he was “issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offence of give firearm to person not authorised by licence/permit”.

“His firearms licence was suspended, and a number of firearms were seized by police,” the NSW police statement read.

Addo-Carr was charged over the alleged unauthorised use of a firearm.

NRL comes down hard on COVID-19 breaches

The NRL on Tuesday sent a major warning to all players that coronavirus guidelines must be followed.

Mitchell and Addo-Carr were handed $50,000 fines – with 60 per cent on hold – and a suspended one-match ban for flouting stay-at-home orders.

“It’s certainly hard to accept such behaviour when the game is doing everything it can to persuade the community that its players are responsible and behave appropriately,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.

“The penalties have been structured so as to give these players one further opportunity to demonstrate that they can be trusted.

In the video below: NRL boss hands down COVID-19 punishments

“If they contravene again, then those parts of the penalty that have been suspended will be activated and they may also be subject to further sanction.”

Acting NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo said the league’s fines for breaching COVID-19 guidelines made no judgement on any alleged criminal activities.

“We’ll wait for any criminal matter that’s investigated by the police and make our judgements following that,” he said, speaking before the charges were laid.

“We’ll review the findings of the police and then we’ll be in a better situation to determine if anything further is required.”

– with AAP

Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have both been charged with firearms offences following their controversial weekend camp.

NSW Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the duo had been charged and will face court in August, after Addo-Carr uploaded videos of him shooting a gun on social media.

Police will allege Mitchell gave a firearm to a person not authorised to use it, and he has now had his licence suspended and a number of guns seized by police.

The pair were both fined $1,000 by NSW Police on Monday for breaking social-distancing laws after a weekend gathering at a property near Taree.

They issued an apology, with Mitchell admitting the Kangaroos stars had “slipped up”.

The NRL issued the pair with $20,000 fines, with another $30,000 suspended, but neither will miss a game after getting one-match suspended bans.

Photos posted by Addo-Carr showed the pair with 10 other men around a fire, prompting the NRL to label the pictures as disappointing and unacceptable.

He was also seen shooting a gun and riding a dirt bike without a helmet, while NRL-contracted Newcastle fringe player Tyronne Roberts-Davis is seen in one of the photos.

“Police have been told a group of more than 10 men were at a gathering on a rural property near Taree on Saturday 25 April, in contravention of current ministerial directions,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Following extensive inquiries, three men – two aged 22 and one aged 24 – have been issued with $1,000 [fines] for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. The 24-year-old had previously received a warning for breaching the Public Health Act.”

The fine also came on the same day the league further pushed its claim for a return, discussing its strict biosecurity rules with clubs on Monday afternoon. But Mitchell insisted they did not mean to flout rules imposed by the federal and state governments to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have been up here with my family for four or five weeks practising social distancing,” Mitchell said in a video. “It was a little bit of a slip up. Foxy [Addo-Carr] reached out, his cousins are going through a bit of stuff up in Sydney.

“He just wanted to get up to the bush and make sure they were getting cultured and connected again. That was the whole part of the concept of what the weekend was.

“I wasn’t here to break any rules or hurt anyone. We’re not being selfish, I couldn’t turn down the brothers in a time of need. On behalf of Foxy and all my mob, we do want to apologise.”

A repentant Addo-Carr said “nothing was intentional or deliberate” as he tried to “put a smile on the faces” of family members going through a tough time. But under NSW guidelines people can only leave the house for work, essential shopping, exercise, medical appointments and compassionate visits.

All NRL players also agreed to health and safety protocols when the competition was stopped for the shutdown.

“On face value, the image in today’s media is both disappointing and an unacceptable breach of health orders,” the NRL said in a statement. “The NRL will be speaking to the players involved to seek further information and we will ensure the players provide any assistance authorities require.

“Our players are role models and we expect them to lead by example during this pandemic.”

The drama could not have come at a worse time for the NRL as it attempts to convince the government it can safely resume its season on 28 May, ahead of other major codes.

Proposed NRL biosecurity rules for the season resumption will make players stay home – with no visitors allowed – except when training, playing, making visits to the doctor and doing essential food shopping.

The NRL has threatened teams with the loss of points and heavy fines if any player breaks the rules, and say they will further educate players before next week’s planned resumption of training.

However Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said the actions of the pair would not influence any government decision.

NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been hit with firearms charges after a weekend getaway with about 10 men.

Key points:

• The NRL players have been accused of “putting the game and community at risk”
• Mitchell and Addo-Carr have been charged with firearm offences
• Pictures emerged of Cleary with a group of people at his home

Photos and videos posted to Melbourne star Addo-Carr’s Instagram account showed a group huddled around a camp fire at Mitchell’s property on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

There were also photographs showing a group of men, including the players, shooting guns and riding dirt bikes at South West Rocks.

Newcastle’s Tyronne Roberts-Davis was not in the photos around the camp but was sprung in another image posted of the group dirt biking.

South Sydney star Mitchell attended Taree Police Station today after being charged with giving a firearm to a person not authorised by licence/permit.

His firearms licence was suspended, and a number of guns were seized by police.

Addo-Carr has been charged with the unauthorised use of a firearm.

Both men will appear at Taree Local Court on Tuesday, August 4.

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It comes after NSW Police confirmed yesterday they had fined Mitchell, Addo-Carr and Roberts-Davis $1,000 for the getaway.

The NRL today issued four players with breach notices for “bringing the game into disrepute” by flouting social distancing laws amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mitchell and Addo-Carr have each been handed $50,000 fines, with 60 per cent of that suspended until the end of the season.

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Roberts-Davis has been issued with a $10,000 fine, with 60 per cent of that suspended.

In an unrelated matter, Penrith player Nathan Cleary was also fined $10,000 after photographs surfaced of Cleary with a group of people on Anzac Day.

Each player has been handed a one-game ban, however that is also suspended.

The players now have five days to respond to the breach notices.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys said the players were “putting the game and the community at risk by their actions”.

“It’s certainly hard to accept such behaviour when the game is doing everything it can to persuade the community that its players are responsible and behave appropriately,” he said.

NSW Police has said it is looking into photographs which appear to show Cleary violating social-distancing rules on the weekend.

What the experts are saying about coronavirus:

Social media photos have emerged of him in close contact with a group of several women, reportedly taken at his home on Saturday.

“Police are aware of the images and are investigating,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

In an Instagram video posted on Monday afternoon, Addo-Carr said that he was “really sorry from the bottom of my heart” and said the getaway was the result of family members “going through a really tough time”.

In a separate video, Mitchell also apologised and said the incident had been “a little bit of a slip-up”.

“We’re not here to break any rules or hurt anyone, we’re not being selfish [but] I couldn’t turn down the brothers in their time of need,” Mitchell said.

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A 47-year-old man who was dramatically pulled off his flight to New Zealand before being charged with rape has allegedly breached his bail conditions in less than a week. 

The former rugby player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with  unlawful stalking, use of a listening device and breach of bail over the weekend.

Last week he was pulled from a flight to Auckland after a 37-year-old woman reported to police she had been raped at a home in Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast the day before.

He did not appear for the brief mention of the new charges at Southport Magistrates Court and no application for bail was put forward. 

It is believed his mother, who still lives in New Zealand, bought the one-way place ticket after she was made aware of the rape allegations made by an ex-girlfriend, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. 

State and Federal police at the Gold Coast airport quickly interrupted the man’s travel plans, removing him from the flight. 

The Robina man, who works as a personal trainer, faced the Southport Magistrates Court, where he was granted bail following a brief appearance in court. 

The man, who moved from New Zealand more than 10 years ago, was ordered to surrender his passport, which the court heard he was willing to do during his application. 

It was also deemed he would need to report to police regularly and have no contact with the victim.

However, over the weekend the new charges were brought forward, which included the breach of release conditions.  

The matter was adjourned to March 2 when the man will appear via videolink.   

 

Four New Zealand rugby players have been handed lengthy bans for doping offences, including a former Black Fern and an Under-20 international.

Zoe Berry, who played one Test for the New Zealand women’s team against England in 2012, has been given a four-year suspension, along with Glen Roberton – who represented the All Blacks’ youth side as well as the Sevens team.

Ben Pedersen, a club-level player, has also been suspended for two years.

All three were banned for possessing and in some cases using or attempting to use the banned drug Clenbuterol, which aids fat loss but is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.

The fourth player, Ben Qauqau-Dodds, was charged with possession and use or attempted use of the anabolic steroid metandienone, and was hit with a 21-month ban.

As well as being on Wada’s prohibited substance list, the drugs are also stated among New Zealand Sports Anti-Doping Rules. All four individuals – who were playing club rugby at the time of the offences – pleaded guilty to at least one of the offences.

New Zealand Rugby’s general manager, Neil Sorensen, said in a statement: “This serves as a reminder that all athletes have to be very careful about what they put into their bodies.”

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