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Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton has pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one charge of public urination in the ACT magistrates court on Thursday morning.
The incidents, which were originally reported in April, occurred on February 3 this year when he was celebrating his birthday with friends before the incidents took place outside a Civic nightclub.
When Wighton first appeared in court on April 11, he pleaded not guilty to a total of nine charges, however, apart from the three upheld today, the remainder have now been dropped by the ACT police, who reviewed CCTV footage of the incident.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss has referred Wighton to the Galambany Court for assessment on whether he should be subjected to circle sentencing, which allows the local indigenous community to be involved in the sentencing process.
It’s understood Wighton is still likely to play against the Broncos this weekend. He flew back to Canberra last night from camp on the Gold Coast and is likely to return this afternoon.
Attending court alongside the fullback was Raiders CEO Don Furner who is understood to be working through the matter with the NRL. Whether any further sanctions will be placed by the club or the NRL are yet to be known, however, the Raiders stated when reports first broke that he will be picked until the end of court proceedings.
Wighton is due to re-appear in court on Friday, July 6. The Raiders will play the Bulldogs on the Saturday of that weekend at Belmore, making it somewhat unlikely he will turn out in Round 17, even if he does play against Brisbane this coming Saturday.
UPDATE
The Raiders have decided to stand down Jack Wighton from this weekend’s game. This is the full statement released by the club.
“Canberra Raiders today stood down Jack Wighton from this week’s match against the Broncos and will convene a Board Meeting next week to discuss his position.
The Raiders will consult the NRL and are mindful that Jack was today referred to the Galambany Court next Wednesday 4th July.
The Raiders Board will consider the matter further in the light of the Galambany Courts decision next week.”
The club will not be making further comment until this process is complete.