Mybludog
Reserve Grader
No Worries: Knights say current players not linked to court drama
BY BRETT KEEBLE
01 Dec, 2010 01:00 AM
NEWCASTLE Knights chief executive Steve Burraston was ‘‘very comfortable’’ with the NRL club’s image in the wake of evidence emerging from court cases involving former players Danny Wicks and Chris Houston.
Wicks pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court on November 5 to three counts of supplying drugs, two of which related to methylamphetamine and another to ecstasy.
His bail was continued and he will be sentenced on March 8.
Another four drugs charges will be taken into account in sentencing.
Wicks was arrested and charged on December 16 last year. The Knights immediately stood him down indefinitely and he voluntarily terminated his contract on December 23.
In separate proceedings which are before the courts, one-time fringe NSW State of Origin forward Houston was charged on March 1 with three counts of supplying ecstasy and one count of supplying cocaine.
Houston has not entered pleas to four counts of supplying drugs.
The Knights immediately stood him down indefinitely, and he voluntarily terminated his contract with the club two days later.
His case remains before Newcastle Local Court and is listed for further mention today.
Burraston told the Newcastle Herald yesterday: ‘‘Of all the evidence that has been presented, there has been none specifically linked to any one of our current players, so I’m very comfortable with where we’re at.
‘‘Given that these cases are ongoing and still before the courts, I believe it is not appropriate for me to comment any further.’’
NRL chief executive David Gallop is monitoring developments as the legal process continues.
NRL media and communications director John Brady said: ‘‘The NRL has said that it will wait to see the matter determined in court, which is the appropriate arena for it to be determined.’’
When Houston appeared in court last Friday, the prosecution tendered to the court the transcript of a telephone conversation between Houston and Wicks at 3.38am on September 13 last year, less than six hours after the Knights were knocked out of the 2009 NRL premiership by the Bulldogs in a qualifying final at ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
Houston: ‘‘What about something local then. Low key, under you. What about your old roomy. Anything.’’
Wicks: ‘‘I don’t know. I’ll give them a call.’’
Houston: ‘‘Let us know. Ring ’em now and let us know.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Ring Gids up and tell him to start searching.’’
Houston: ‘‘Yeah, well we want them ASAP.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Oh well, I’m well aware of that mate. I’m f---ing infuriated.’’
Later in the same conversation, Wicks said: ‘‘Well what about that Deano c---?’’
Houston: ‘‘I don’t know his number.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Yeah, that’s what I’m saying, ring Gids.’’
Houston: ‘‘All right. Speak to you soon.’’
On July 7, when Wicks’s co-offender and one-time friend Emma Kate Frankham pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court to supplying Wicks with 30 tablets at Mayfield after 4am on September 13 last year, an intercepted telephone conversation between Wicks and co-accused Steven Stefanovski was among the documents tendered in court.
When Stefanovski told Wicks he could not supply him with ecstasy on the morning of September 13, Wicks said: ‘‘You’ve let me down, I’ve got 20 blokes waiting.’’
Thought this may interest a few. not sure but i doubt it was in the National papers. The whole clubs rotten to the core
BY BRETT KEEBLE
01 Dec, 2010 01:00 AM
NEWCASTLE Knights chief executive Steve Burraston was ‘‘very comfortable’’ with the NRL club’s image in the wake of evidence emerging from court cases involving former players Danny Wicks and Chris Houston.
Wicks pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court on November 5 to three counts of supplying drugs, two of which related to methylamphetamine and another to ecstasy.
His bail was continued and he will be sentenced on March 8.
Another four drugs charges will be taken into account in sentencing.
Wicks was arrested and charged on December 16 last year. The Knights immediately stood him down indefinitely and he voluntarily terminated his contract on December 23.
In separate proceedings which are before the courts, one-time fringe NSW State of Origin forward Houston was charged on March 1 with three counts of supplying ecstasy and one count of supplying cocaine.
Houston has not entered pleas to four counts of supplying drugs.
The Knights immediately stood him down indefinitely, and he voluntarily terminated his contract with the club two days later.
His case remains before Newcastle Local Court and is listed for further mention today.
Burraston told the Newcastle Herald yesterday: ‘‘Of all the evidence that has been presented, there has been none specifically linked to any one of our current players, so I’m very comfortable with where we’re at.
‘‘Given that these cases are ongoing and still before the courts, I believe it is not appropriate for me to comment any further.’’
NRL chief executive David Gallop is monitoring developments as the legal process continues.
NRL media and communications director John Brady said: ‘‘The NRL has said that it will wait to see the matter determined in court, which is the appropriate arena for it to be determined.’’
When Houston appeared in court last Friday, the prosecution tendered to the court the transcript of a telephone conversation between Houston and Wicks at 3.38am on September 13 last year, less than six hours after the Knights were knocked out of the 2009 NRL premiership by the Bulldogs in a qualifying final at ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
Houston: ‘‘What about something local then. Low key, under you. What about your old roomy. Anything.’’
Wicks: ‘‘I don’t know. I’ll give them a call.’’
Houston: ‘‘Let us know. Ring ’em now and let us know.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Ring Gids up and tell him to start searching.’’
Houston: ‘‘Yeah, well we want them ASAP.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Oh well, I’m well aware of that mate. I’m f---ing infuriated.’’
Later in the same conversation, Wicks said: ‘‘Well what about that Deano c---?’’
Houston: ‘‘I don’t know his number.’’
Wicks: ‘‘Yeah, that’s what I’m saying, ring Gids.’’
Houston: ‘‘All right. Speak to you soon.’’
On July 7, when Wicks’s co-offender and one-time friend Emma Kate Frankham pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court to supplying Wicks with 30 tablets at Mayfield after 4am on September 13 last year, an intercepted telephone conversation between Wicks and co-accused Steven Stefanovski was among the documents tendered in court.
When Stefanovski told Wicks he could not supply him with ecstasy on the morning of September 13, Wicks said: ‘‘You’ve let me down, I’ve got 20 blokes waiting.’’
Thought this may interest a few. not sure but i doubt it was in the National papers. The whole clubs rotten to the core
