Judge raps celebrity drunks ... then gives one another chance

Logan Swann

A judge has attacked the "abominable" drunken behaviour of New Zealand's sports stars - but given a top rugby league player a second chance anyway.

Sentencing Kiwi forward Logan Swann for his part in an assault, Judge Avinash Deobhakta said it had become a perception among sports celebrities that because of their status they would get favourable court treatment.

"I'm getting tired of sporting celebrities drinking to excess when they should be role models to youngsters, and misbehaving themselves, getting into fights and assaults, then coming before the court for a discharge," the judge said.

"People have the wrong impression that guys like you with celebrity status can get away with bad behaviour, under the influence of high intoxicants, just because you are sporting celebrities."

Swann, who pleaded guilty to common assault last month, leaves for a new career in the UK in January, but came to court knowing a blemished record could jeopardise his Warrington Wolves contract.

He told the judge that he could not condone his behaviour, but "it was a situation out of my control".

But Judge Deobhakta cut him off. "No. You are mature enough to walk away and the fact that you have been drinking is no excuse. You should not have been drinking to that excess."

The assault happened in May when an intoxicated Swann and two associates met the victim in Queen St, Auckland.

The victim and his friends joked with Swann about how he was a ball-juggler and about his tackling.

He asked Swann to show him a tackle and in a mock tackle Swann nudged him with his shoulder.

The man said jokingly that was not a tackle and Swann repeated the move. After more jesting, Swann walked up to the man and nudged him off-balance. He wrapped his arms round him, twisting the man's upper body and throwing him backwards to the ground.

The victim was left injured and gasping for air on the footpath, where he was assaulted by Swann's associates. His right eye was swollen shut and the side of his face swollen and grazed.

At the sentencing at the Auckland District Court yesterday, Judge Deobhakta also criticised the victim, whose name was suppressed.

"This started because the victim broached the subject but now he complains about the incident as though he was an innocent party to the whole thing."

But the judge reserved his more severe reprimand for Swann.

"You will appreciate by now that I have very little sympathy for you or any of your colleagues who come to court for this kind of behaviour."

He said he was "particularly irked" that "you guys" thought they would get favourable treatment.

"If it's not you it's your colleagues," he said.

However, the judge told Swann that he would "very, very reluctantly" grant him a discharge without conviction.

He said he did not want to destroy the young second rower's career. Swann had a lot to contribute to the game, club and country.

The judge also took into account Swann's age, that he had no previous convictions and "glowing testimonies from some eminent people".

"However, I have no difficulty in fining you for this abominable behaviour," he added.

Swann was ordered to pay $500 reparation to the victim.

"Let this be a salutary lesson to you that this will be the last time you'll get a discharge," Judge Deobhakta said. "You have finished your nine lives."