Richmond star Dustin Martin has avoided criminal charges for threatening a woman with chopsticks.
Martin, 24, allegedly threatened to stab a female patron in the face with chopsticks before slamming his hand against a wall behind her head at Chapel Street restaurant Mr Miyagi in early December.
The AFL’s integrity unit began an investigation before handing it over to Victoria Police, who announced on Tuesday that no charges would be laid over the incident.
“Detectives from Stonnington Criminal Investigation Unit have conducted an extensive investigation after reports a woman was threatened by a man at a Chapel Street restaurant in Windsor on (Saturday) 5 December,” a Victoria Police statement read.
“After reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to all parties involved, including numerous independent witnesses at the restaurant on the night, investigators determined that no criminal offence took place.
“Police take all reports of violence towards women seriously and investigate all complaints thoroughly.”
Martin had been drinking at music festival Stereosonic on the day and later phoned the patron in question, as well as restaurant management, to apologise.
“Regrettably, I was intoxicated and that in itself is completely unacceptable,” Martin said via a club statement the Monday after the incident.
“I do, however, take responsibility for my behaviour and I am deeply embarrassed.
“If anything I have said or done has caused anyone to feel threatened then that is totally inappropriate.”
Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale said that the club was incredibly disappointed with Martin, with Richmond and the AFL still to decide what sanction, if any, he will receive.
Casper
Guest
Seems from media underplaying this issue that the AFL can give the NRL lessons on how to manage news of misbehaviour. NRL scribes would have driven this guy out of the game in their pursuit of an 'exclusive' expose.
jax
Guest
I called this weeks ago Don't buy in, YOU are intelligent!
jax
Guest
Two sides is the absolute minimum. One agenda is an absolute.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Hear hear. I've never never read anything from Gene that wasn't just pathetic snark from a failure.
Martin
Guest
In the movies it doesn't seem to be an offence to threaten violence. Can anyone name a movie where a character was prosecuted for threatening violence to someone without any more serious charges attached?
mattyb
Guest
All of wiggys calls are "gutless",he is an awfully bitter man,he tries to cover his own failings in life with comments such as these.
SM
Guest
'AFL footballers are held to higher public account than Doctors, Lawyers and other professions' Oh dear.
Roy
Guest
maybe so, but one thing's for sure - this issue will cause the AFL to really squirm come their White Ribbon round !
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Predictable The Tigers will hit him with a 'punishment' to placate any outraged fans, something like banning him from a few pre season games that he would never had played in, any how
David
Guest
Gutless call Gene, why suspend somebody for a minor offence? He was drunk in public. The carlton player was worse, he was drunk and violent, he just got extra training sessions.
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
If being gutless means that Richmond will deal with Martin's problem with alcohol in a way that helps him overcome this flaw in his character, in a constructive way, then yeah, I hope Richmond is gutless.
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
The woman declined to make a statement after police concluded (after a thorough investigation), that the claims made by her were unsubstantiated by CCTV and ALL independent witnesses. Martin's offence was being drunk in a public place and of being obnoxious. An offence that the AFL and Richmond will deal with appropriately- but surely not the hanging offence that some people on this site would have you believe.
bart
Guest
Totally agree, public and character assassination by the media for an offence where Police have laid no charges. AFL footballers are held to higher public account than Doctors, Lawyers and other professions. Been happening for a number of years. Exact same thing has happened and continues to happen for one James Hird. Dustin Martin may be a absolute brainless twit, but threatening to poke someones eyes out at Mr Myogi's restaurant with chopsticks is bordering on juvenile, and should not really be a media headline, Martin should have been practicing the Crane technique at Mr Myogi's.
Liam O'Neill
Guest
Call me ingorant and naive if you like but i think the public assassination has been enough
WhereIsGene
Guest
I'm calling it now, Richmond will be too gutless to suspend him for anything more than the preseason.
Josh
Guest
Everything you need to know is in the statement 'the woman declined to make a statement'....
Liam O'Neill
Guest
Perhaps there is two sides to the story
David
Guest
Don't think that will happen mate. He's been cleared by Police after they viewed cctv and interviewed independent witnesses. How can they make an example of him? He'll be reprimanded and maybe fined and/or given community service. I'll be surprised if anything harsher is handed down.
berrlins
Roar Pro
police have stated no criminal action will be taken, fair enough. however this is fair from over, Richmond and the AFL still need to make an example of this idiot and I hope they do.