NRL betting scandal: Charges dropped

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The case against a Sydney property manager charged over an NRL betting scandal that saw a woman walk into an Auckland TAB with a pram full of money has been dismissed.

Magistrate Michael Barko dismissed the charges against Gregory Adam Tait in a Sydney court this afternoon because he found no evidence Tait personally placed bets on a match between the Bulldogs and Cowboys in August 2010, ninemsn reported.

Tait, 38, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of trying to dishonestly obtain almost A$50,000 from bets he placed on the first-scoring option in the match.

The match was the subject of an unusual betting plunge on the first score of the match being a Cowboys penalty goal.

Now-disgraced Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy was fined A$4000 after being found guilty of taking action in the match which allowed the Cowboys a penalty goal.

Tait, who was Tandy's real estate agent, was charged with attempting to dishonestly obtain A$18,906 from corporate bookmaker Centrebet and A$29,004 from the New Zealand Racing Board on August 20, 2010.

The prosecution had alleged Tait was a "prolific punter'' who had tried to hide a A$2400 bet by having Auckland woman Shontelle Mankin place the bet at a TAB in Browns Bay.

Downing Centre Local court was earlier told Tait had sent the cash to Mankin, the sister of his then girlfriend, via a Western Union money transfer.

She walked into the TAB with a pram full of money but, confused about how to place the bet, rang Tait for instructions.

Tait, it was claimed, then told her to put the TAB operator on the phone and issued his betting requirements directly.

Tait also placed a bet of $1000 with bookmaker Centrebet, the court was told.

But Mr Barko today said CCTV footage of Mr Tait on August 20 did not prove he placed any bets himself.

"Having viewed it closely, it can't be seen that Mr Tait personally placed any bets that day,'' Mr Barko said in dismissing the charges

Meanwhile, Tandy has been ordered to start his community penalty on June 18 after being re-sentenced for lying to the NSW Crime Commission about the NRL betting scandal.

Tandy was sentenced in January to a six-month jail term to be served by way of an Intensive Correction Order (ICO), a penalty which includes conditions such as community service and strict supervision.

He had been found guilty of giving false evidence in January 2011 to the crime commission about his betting activities with jockey manager John Schell.