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.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Hi Taree - share your pain. I actually don't mind Brad Abbey at full back. He's been killing it for the Mounties - second highest try scorer in the reserves comp. I'm happy to give him a go at full back for a few weeks. I reckon Ricky should give Jack a go at 5/8 if and when he comes back. Has to be a better option than the Blake Austin.
Taree Raider
Guest
Ricky Stuart loves Jack, he openly states that Jack is his favorite. I think that is fair enough, except when you are the coach of an NRL side where you are expected to present the best possible results for the Club. I was totally shocked by one report where it stated that Jack was on about 800k per season on his current, 4 year deal. If anyone thinks Jack is worth that they'd have to be in love with him. I'm sure that when the NRL suspends Jack the Raiders could come up with better use of 800K. I personally don't dislike Wighton, but its only this season that he has shown any ability on a consistent basis. Ricky has stuck by Jack in the past regardless of his inconsistent form. Last night's game against the Bronco's, Jack is stood down which is a decision I fully support. What does Ricky do, puts a rookie fullback in place of Jack. What would any other Coach at any level do? Put Cotric to fullback & Abby to the wing. Why didn't Ricky do that? This is a long shot I know, but did Ricky not switch Cotric, because he would have done the job equal to Jack. This would therefore show the Raiders Board that Jack should be sacked & Ricky woud be heartbroken. Here's a thought, why don't the Raiders Board sack Jack & Ricky. Surely the Club wouldn't be worse off than they are now. How do you get a job on the Raiders Board?
Nat
Roar Guru
Interesting reply considering he plead guilty. Not quite the conspiracy theorist today?
Jara W
Guest
I can’t be the only one to have noticed David Gallop’s inclination for flares since his code swap.
mushi
Roar Guru
Well it lost crediblity amongst those that gave them no crediblity in the first place. Why would you teach western civilisation to people already immersed in western civilsiation and learning a vast array of disciplines from the vangtage point of western civilsaiton. If you have to teach them that then you shouldn't have allowed them to enroll at the university to begin with. The only (not all) uni that has declined it was only really doing it because of its sponsors to being with, but then they over stepped the mark.
Greg
Guest
Because unlike Lodge the outcome of the case would have immediate ramifications for this weeks game. If they paid for any of Wightons legal fees then yes they should be included in the cap.
Birdy
Guest
In built interference, Well that will do me. Where can I buy a boys will be boys tee shirt
Nat
Roar Guru
That's a very long bow to draw. Do you make the same correlation for soccer hooligans? I guess no Kiwi rugby fan has ever thrown a punch in their life because of the standards the All Blacks uphold.
Michael Cusack
Guest
One University has refused to teach "Western Civilization" because of the inbuilt undue interference of the sponsoring body. To say that all (or even any) universities "have lost all credibility" as a consequence means YOU have no credibility to lose.
Nat
Roar Guru
"Attending court alongside the fullback was Raiders CEO Don Furner..." Where's the outrage that Raiders CEO was assisting their player here like you accused the Broncos for being involved with Lodge?
Michael Cusack
Guest
Rumours that Ferguson is leaving Roosters for Newcastle at the end of this season probably means Jack gets suspended for the rest of this season and has to move to be rehabilitated.
Birdy
Guest
Any report by any university is better understood if you are stoned. Universities have lost all credibility after refusing to teach western civilization..
David
Guest
He plead guilty to assault. He's lucky all 5 people didn't come forward. At the end of the day he was given his presumption of innocence, which he should have been. Now that he is guilty the NRL should de-register him. Stop trying to minimise the violent behaviour of a thug.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
He will be playing for the Roosters in the future!
Lovey
Guest
Very judgemental. He assaulted 5 guys, all at once? Matthew Lodge was adjudged to have committed a serious offence, but this doesn’t sound anywhere near as bad. At least let’s wait to hear the story before we reach for the stocks and tar an feathers. These guys deserve a second chance, but only that.
Simon SS
Roar Rookie
I just read through the long comments on the La Trobe uni study on DV around origin night. I can't help but think if a company supports people who commit violent acts that it's no surprise it's fans also commit violent acts.
mushi
Roar Guru
He's in ACT not NSW I beleive. https://actsd.judcom.nsw.gov.au/public/sentencing_snapshots/No_3_Assault_Occasioning_Actual_Bodily_Harm.pdf So more than likely a good behaviour bond. Sending him to prison would not be the best outcome for society.
Greg
Guest
Interesting. Matt Lodge pleaded guilty to one charge of misdemeanour reckless assault (meaning his victim required no medical treatment). Wighton has pleaded guilty to TWO counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (meaning his victims did require medical treatment). We all know what happened to Lodge, if the NRL is consistent then I guess we'll see Wighton back in the NRL in around 18 months at a minimum, but this is the NRL we're talking about.
David
Guest
This is an ACT matter, not NSW. Now that he's plead guilty, he should have his contract de-registered by the NRL and he should start the long process of rehabilitating himself, which may or may lead to him playing in the NRL in the future. Either way, he's a disgrace and doesn't deserve to play in the NRL at this point in time.
Paul
Roar Guru
Birthday party - leads to beers - leads to 2 assault charges - MUST lead to more than a slap on the wrist and an "abject" apology from Wighton. I don't know the sentencing rules in NSW, so what are the chances Wighton gets gaol? I'm guessing he won't, which should then mean sanctions from both his Club and the NRL, depending what Canberra does