NRL star waits for evidence in drug, betting scandal
Robyn Wuth |
Brandon Smith is still waiting to see police evidence as he fights allegations of supplying cocaine to fellow NRL star Victor Radley.
The South Sydney hooker did not attend Southport Magistrates Court for the Thursday mention of drug and betting charges.
Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Sydney Roosters lock Radley with cocaine at Currimundi, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, on June 7.
Text messages allegedly exchanged between Smith and his former teammate Radley were uncovered in a police investigation.
Radley has not been charged with any offence.
He has ruled himself out of playing for England in the upcoming Rugby League Ashes series following the scandal.
Radley was set to run out against the Kangaroos for the three-Test series starting on October 25 at Wembley Stadium.
The Roosters also hit Radley with a hefty 10-match ban without pay, and he was also made to give a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital for charity research.
Smith remains banned from any contact with Radley as he fights to clear his name.
“We are awaiting the brief of evidence that the Queensland Police rely on to establish the charges,” leading Sydney lawyer Pat McGirr told AAP on Thursday.
“Once we have that material, we will read it and take it from there.”
The court ordered the brief of evidence to be delivered to the defence by November 13.
Smith has been charged jointly on the cocaine supply count with Joshua Geoffrey Peter Bainbridge, 34, and the court ordered no contact between the pair.
The NRL star also faces a charge of disclosing inside knowledge of the Souths’ starting line-up for his return from injury on July 2.
Smith’s inside knowledge about being moved to the run-on side for the Rabbitohs’ clash against Manly was allegedly shared with Bainbridge, who then placed a bet on the game as a result.
The case was adjourned until December 4 for mention, with his appearance excused.
The charges stem from a police investigation following the seizure of Smith’s phone at Gold Coast Airport.
The South Sydney hooker was questioned by police when he arrived in Queensland ahead of his club’s August 10 clash with Gold Coast.
He was released without charge and ran out against the Titans.
The charges against Smith were brought by Taskforce Maxima, which targets criminal gang activity across Queensland.
AAP
