After Parramatta Eels duo Corey Norman and Junior Paulo, along with Penrith Panthers hooker James Segeyaro were found to be having dinner with bikies and alleged criminals on the weekend, the New South Wales police have officially issued warnings to all players involved.
The photo, published on Paulo’s Instagram account, has since been removed, but not before the media could get hold of it.
Later that evening Norman was embroiled in an alleged drug scandal where it is understood he was stopped by a metal detector with a container of unexplained white pills. A friend has stepped forward and claimed the container was his and not Norman’s.
» Norman ‘dined with criminal figures’
» Norman subject of police investigation
It is unknown at this stage where Paulo and Segeyaro were still with Norman when he was stopped.
The warning issued by the police refers to the fact the players were caught with convicted criminals and bikies. Under law the trio could be handed a three-year prison sentence if it were to happen again.
The warnings were under section 93 X of the crimes act which states:
(1) A person who:
(a) habitually consorts with convicted offenders, and
(b) consorts with those convicted offenders after having been given an official warning in relation to each of those convicted offenders,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years, or a fine of 150 penalty units, or both.(2) A person does not
“habitually consort” with convicted offenders unless:
(a) the person consorts with at least 2 convicted offenders (whether on the same or separate occasions), and
(b) the person consorts with each convicted offender on at least 2 occasions.(3) An
“official warning” is a warning given by a police officer (orally or in writing) that:
(a) a convicted offender is a convicted offender, and
(b) consorting with a convicted offender is an offence.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has taken the opportunity in a statement to put every player and official in the NRL on notice over who they chose to have as friends and associates.
“This reflects poorly on the players involved and is a bad look for the game.”
“I would expect those who have received warnings to take them very seriously.
“The penalties for ignoring a warning are severe and we fully support the police in the action they have taken.
For Parramatta, it caps off a horror couple of weeks with the salary cap scandal continuing to take hold of the embattled club, along with missing their star player Kieran Foran due to mental health issues.
soapit
Guest
including a bbq after the match or a team mates wedding say? potential awkward situation there
soapit
Guest
twas i know ur talking black and white legal but they have influence. that probably translates to genuine power
Phillip
Guest
Great point. "I say again, write to your MP if you don’t like the law." Any NRL star has the right and freedom to mix with any underworld criminal and or suspect terrorist. Its great for the sport and proves that Rugby League players are for the masses and genuine people.
troy
Guest
You cannot tell people who they can and can't spend time with this is totalitarian what is the world coming to when grow adults are treated like school kids, they had dinner together quick call the fun police
AlanKC
Guest
I dare say they'd be convicted if charged with gross stupidity - 1) posting the photo for the world to see and 2) carrying pills in a metal container when entering an area that is screened by a metal dector...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Like Oatley 3rd Grade Rugby?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Have you read the entire law? Does it apply to legitimate employment? In which case that would not be an issue. If you choose to associate with him, and others outside that employment you would only have a problem.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The Police have zero power to pass legislation. Only MP's do.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Actually in this case Northerner you're wrong. Normally I'd agree with you but this law was invented by cops because they were sick of no being able to prevent bikie crime. Sure the legislators need the big kick in the ass for passing this brain fart of a law into any parliament instead of slapping who suggested it. But make no doubt that this law was invented by cops to side step freedom of association rights so they could stick it to bikies and their mates.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I think it's why he was trying to get to Canberra to start with from what I heard. To escape bad influences he had been hanging with
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Junior Paulo has been on fire the last couple of weeks. The Raiders must surely be having second thoughts about signing him now. What on Gods earth was he thinking posting a photo with crims, beggars belief really.
Lroy
Guest
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bikies-charged-for-going-to-pub-20131210-2z2pa.html
Lroy
Guest
Are people saying they didnt know these laws were in effect?? A guy in QLD went to jail for having a beer with his brother who was an outlaw biker.
northerner
Guest
No, you have an issue with the legislators that allowed this law to be passed. Cops don't invent laws, they just enforce things that their political betters have imposed on them. The law is an affront to democratic values, but it's not the cops who should be blamed for it, nor the NRL, but all those delightful pollies (and their supporters) who thought it would be a good idea in the first place.
northerner
Guest
let me put this as clearly as I can. There is a reactionary law on the books. A law, not a football code. The cops called in the boys and read them the riot act. They are on notice. The NRL is embarrassed by this. The issue isn't with the NRL or the cops, it's with the fact that such a law is on the books in the first place. I say again, write to your MP if you don't like the law.
Agent11
Guest
this is what i was thinking. Are the police like their mummies and daddies or something? "now i don't want you hanging out with those bikie boys, they are no good!"
Kaks
Roar Guru
No issue with Norman being warned/punished for what was found on him. Have an issue with the NRL/police telling people who they can associate with.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I doubt it applies to legitimate employment.
ChubbzyK96
Guest
That is crazy!!!!
Richard Maybury
Guest
This sounds like a very dodgy law to me. Puts Dragons players in a very precarious position given they have a team mate who is a convicted person (Packer). Big Brother is watching you.