Jack de Belin has been cleared to play in the NRL as he on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in a Wollongong court.
St George Illawarra star Jack de Belin will be able to continue training with teammates and start the NRL season with sexual assault charges hanging over his head after pleading not guilty on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old NSW Origin forward appeared in Wollongong Local Court and entered his plea before the matter was adjourned to April 17.
He was charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in a Wollongong unit early on December 9.
Police allege he had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent, in the company of his friend Callan Sinclair.
While the NRL has touted a tougher line on off-field player behaviour after a series of ugly off-season headlines, a spokesman indicated it wouldn’t change policy to stand de Belin down until the case was decided.
It believes it must let the court case run its course and afford the presumption of innocence.
“The matter is before the courts and the player has pleaded not guilty,” the spokesman said.
De Belin will now be available for the Dragons’ first trial match against Newcastle at WIN Stadium next weekend.
But he is more likely to have his first hit out of the season in the Charity Shield clash with South Sydney in Mudgee the following week.
De Belin successfully had his bail conditions varied so that he can fulfil his training and playing obligations.
He has also been forced to surrender his passport but that will not affect his playing commitments, with the Dragons not having any games scheduled outside Australia in 2019.
Their round nine clash against the Auckland-based Warriors will take place at Suncorp Stadium as part of Magic Round, which involves all teams playing at the same ground.
Sinclair, 21, has indicated he will be pleading not guilty to the same charge as de Belin.
Neither man commented as they left court on Tuesday.
The sexual assault offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.
The Dragons on Tuesday noted de Belin was now able “to fulfil his training and playing commitments”.
“The club will make no further comment as this matter remains before the courts,” the club said in a statement.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
And yet Barba has not been charged for any crime, nor has anyone else seen the footage. One could argue that if the police aren't involved, how bad can it be? In De Belins' case it seems the police didn't need video of the act, they have other evidence to work with that found to be sufficient to launch a prosecution.
johnno 2
Guest
NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I've got to agree that it is an odd look that Barba is sacked but de Bellin might still be playing.
northerner
Guest
The wheels of justice often grind slowly. I don't see why Belin's case should be dealt with any more speedily than the case of some random criminal who may wait months or years for a trial date.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Couldn’t agree more. Guilty or not, JDB has brought the game into massive disrepute. Even if he hasn’t committed any crime when will players learn that putting themselves in these situations is like playing Russian roulette. The game is being dragged through the mud by these blokes.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I said it should be dealt with as soon as possible. Not sure what your disagreement is. The guy has ruined his own life already, as well as the girl's if the allegations are true.
Paulie
Guest
Are you for real Duncan this is a serious criminal act IF he has committed and should be dealt with immediately...if this was your daughter how the hell would you feel...
Raimond
Roar Guru
It doesn't matter about the outcome of the criminal trial. The fact that he has been charged with this offence has brought the game into disrepute.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But that is the issue. Barba de-registered by the NRL based on footage but none (so far) of De Belin.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Innocent until proven guilty is one thing but this case could drag on for a long time maybe a year or more with the details coming out slowly and painfully. Is De Belin going to be picked for SOO, tests etc. because he has not been proven guilty? Dragons need to be more proactive to consider his evidence in defence and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Even if De Belin gets off on the basis it was consentual a consential gang bang with pregnant wife at home is not a good look for the Dragons or the NRL.
Paul
Roar Guru
in racing parlance, in front by a short half head
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
That's another can of worms. Say that footage exists, would it be appropriate for it to be provided to the Dragons and NRL, and not the police? That's what has happened to Barba. The footage wasn't handed over to police to start a case, it was handed instead to two separate private entities who used the footage to make business decisions.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
So if there was video evidence of De Belin, it would be then right to sack him?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Absolutely - continue to get paid while on leave - he is still a free man. And yep, there are probably some examples of crusty old Boards not suspending exec's because the exec makes them all millions of dollars. I think it is fair to say the NRL and its fans aspire of the League to be held in higher regard than big banks. Not sure how far ahead they are right now....
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree BA, but in your scenario, JDB should get paid, as he's still innocent at this age. As for business executives, that's probably the case - unless you work as a financial advisor executive in one of the Big 4 banks! Different rules seem to apply there.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
It's silly these legal cases are allowed to drag on so long, when you'd hope they would be quickly resolved one way or the other. People calling for De Bellin's blood should simmer down. It's pretty obvious the guy has already ruined his own life (footy career, marriage, reputation, etc) through his extremely foolish act. You think he is skipping through daisy fields laughing? I'd hate to be him.
Paulie
Guest
This guy should be stood down from all forms of sport until these allegations clear him... NRL you are disgusting the game is slowly becoming a two faced sport.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Agree there are no winners. To me if they are worried about the perception they are accusing him of anything, then go with a straight forward statement that says "JDB has plead not guilty in Wollongong Court and is determined to defend is innocence. In order to for JDB to focus on this, the Dragons have given him leave without pay while he addresses his legal situation." and leave it at that. One way or another they need to distance themselves from him in the public domain. As written in The Australian today, in business senior executives facing lesser, but serious charges would stand down with pay in the same situation - and business executives are not recognisable and on TV every week like an NRL player nor do kids wear the jeresys and wave flags to celebrate senior executives.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
You're right, they are two different matters. Barba was sacked without any legal proceedings taken against him, based on CCTV footage that was released to the Cowboys first, and then the NRL. His partner doesn't seem to be pressing charges, the police don't seem to be involved, and the footage hasn't been made public. I have never heard of a scenario where someone has committed a crime, and rather than the CCTV footage being turned over to police, it is turned over to the alleged offenders employer instead. De Belin has been charged by police who are acting on the evidence provided. They tend to only push like that when they believe there is enough evidence for a conviction. The charges are, in my opinion, far more serious than mysterious CCTV footage that only the Cowboys and Terd Greenburgh have viewed. Do I think they handled Barba's case incorrectly? No. But they have handled De Belin's incorrectly.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I think Pedro above hit the nail on the head as well. Even allowing for innocence until guilty, Dragons should be imposing a holiday - with pay - simply because;- (1) WTF were they doing being in this situation - after the Stuart experience NO member of any squad (especially one with partners and family) should be in the company of a female out of the public eye. Just cause for a holiday (2) seriousness of the allegations (3) The high probability that he will find applying himself 100% to the games extremely difficult as well as attracting a high degree of sledging means it is arguable the team will be better off with him elsewhere. I know he played SOO last year but the Dragons have a strong forward squad and can compete (probably better) without him.