Palea'aesina sentanced for GBH

[DJones]

Wigan rugby league player Iafeta Palea'aesina has been sentenced to 200 hours community service for breaking a bus driver's jaw.

The 17st (108kg) New Zealand prop forward punched James Campbell, 29, in the face during an incident at Wigan North Western railway station.

The 26-year-old, of Rufford, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Liverpool Crown Court.

Palea'aesina was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Campbell.

He was also ordered to pay his own legal bill and make a £250 contribution towards the prosecution costs.

The assault took place at 0430 GMT on 6 October, in the car park of the railway station and just hours after Wigan were knocked out of the Super League play-offs by Leeds.

Palea'aesina, of Holmeswood Road, had been on a night out after returning from Wigan and was returning to his car with two fellow players and two women when he became involved in a confrontation with Mr Campbell.
   
On this occasion you lost control, it is highly unusual in your life

Neville Biddle, prosecuting, told the court Mr Campbell started making disparaging comments about the match before the defendant hit him and he fell to the ground.

Mr Biddle told the court Palea'aesina and his friends then went to the car and drove off without helping the victim but the incident was captured on CCTV.

Mr Campbell suffered a broken jaw - which required hospital treatment - and was left "shocked and shaken" by the incident.

Paul Becker, defending, told the court: "The defendant was provoked and wound up by an intoxicated individual who was goading him about his track suit and his team's performance.

He added: "The defendant accepts he acted improperly and is extremely sorry for what he did and the injuries he caused."

Mr Becker urged Judge Adrian Lyon to limit the sentence to ensure that Palea'aesina was able to secure an Australian visa, should he be selected to play for Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup finals next December.

Judge Lyon noted that Palea'aesina had only ever received one yellow card throughout his playing career and said he considered the incident out of character.

He said: "I am told that throughout the course of your professional career you have only ever been given one yellow card.

"That seems to me to illustrate the control you are able to exercise on the field in what can be a violent game.

"On this occasion you lost control, it is highly unusual in your life"

[leytherjay]

Not the version of events that I got told today at work by a Wigan fan.........the victim deserved it (allegedly )

[craigies6pack]

Not sure if he actually deserved it but I have heard the victim is a bit of a Wire-fan!

[Mr Widnes]

Not sure if he actually deserved it but I have heard the victim is a bit of a Wire-fan!

Well if he is a Wire-fan then any good servant of the community would do the same. Horrible bounties!

[life is peachy]

Not the version of events that I got told today at work by a Wigan fan.........the victim deserved it (allegedly )

oh yeah braking someones jaw well good that and especially if he deserved it aswell even better.well done palea'aesina mate 

you can allways count on a leigh fan who hates wigan to give a fair and unbiased view eh

[johnf]

oh yeah braking someones jaw well good that and especially if he deserved it aswell even better.well done palea'aesina mate 

you can allways count on a leigh fan who hates wigan to give a fair and unbiased view eh

I think he was actually sticking up for Pallyohseenher to be honest.

[Briga]

Well, the best that can be said is that it wasn't his wife/girlfriend.

[leytherjay]

I think he was actually sticking up for Pallyohseenher to be honest.

I was..... he was defending one of his team mates from a drunk idiot.