Michael Jennings pleads not guilty to charge of offensive behavior and hindering police
Monday 20 July 2015 13:32, UK
New South Wales centre Michael Jennings pleaded not guilty to charges of offensive behaviour and hindering police on Monday.
The Australian rugby league star was suspended for one NRL match by his club, the Sydney Roosters, over an incident which followed a late-night drinking session two days after June’s State of Origin clash against Queensland.
The charges were made when the police said they noticed another man kicking a boom gate, and when they intervened Jennings allegedly approached them “in an aggressive manner”.
Jennings did not appear at Parramatta Local Court but entered the plea through his lawyer Paul McGirr, Australian Associated Press reported.
"There are some independent witnesses that have different versions, and that's all I can say," McGirr said.
Trent Robinson, owner of the Roosters, said Jennings had broken team protocols by drinking close to game, and voiced his disappointment, but said Jennings was allowed to feature of New South Wales in the third and deciding State of Origin match which was won by Queensland.
The matter is due to return to court on September 14.
