NRL star set to fight drug and betting charges in court
Robyn Wuth |
NRL star Brandon Smith is expected to fight to clear his name when he makes his first appearance on drug and betting charges.
Smith will face Southport Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast on Thursday and plead not guilty to supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Smith is represented by leading Sydney lawyer Paul McGirr, who confirmed the 29-year-old Kiwi hooker would fight the charges.
“Brandon will attend the mention with an agent solicitor on my behalf,” Mr McGirr told AAP.
“He will enter a plea of not guilty to both charges and we will request a brief of evidence.
“That’s all we will say at this stage until we are served the actual physical brief of evidence that the Queensland Police rely on.”
The charges stem from a police investigation after officers seized Smith’s phone at the Gold Coast airport.
The South Sydney hooker was questioned by police when he arrived in Queensland ahead of their August 10 clash with Gold Coast.
He was quizzed before the Titans game with police saying they had cause to speak to the 29-year-old at Coolangatta Airport.
But he was released without charge and ran out against the Titans.
“We chatted to him about a number of things and then he was able to go on and play football,” Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy told 4BC on August 14.
“Brandon was very co-operative with us and he was able to go on and play a good game of football from what I saw.”
However, police confirmed on August 25 Smith had been charged.
The next day the NRL allowed the rake to play in the final regular season round for South Sydney, ruling out the prospect of enforcing an immediate ban.
The Sydney Roosters have become entangled, with text messages allegedly exchanged between its star lock Victor Radley uncovered in the police investigation.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Radley and the Roosters player has not been charged with any offence.
AAP
