Canberra Raiders back Jack Wighton, as charges for assault adjourned until July

THE Canberra Raiders offered their support for Jack Wighton after he left ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning. But in 13 weeks, the club might have to take a different stance.

Wighton walks through the media pack after leaving court. (Kym Smith)

AT 8.36am Wednesday, Jack Wighton walked into the ACT Magistrates Court with his chin sunk deep into his starched white collared shirt.

With shoulders slumped, the Canberra full-back’s polished shoes and neatly cut navy suit were merely a mask for his body language which displayed shame and regret.

Less than two hours later, Wighton emerged to a pack of TV cameras and hopped into his car, bound for a 12.30pm field session with his teammates.

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Wighton walks through the media pack after leaving court. (Kym Smith)

What Wighton didn’t have when he arrived for the most dramatic day of his career, was indeed the one thing he was able to leave with.

Time.

A critical 13 weeks, to be precise.

Wighton sat beside his lawyer Allistar Twigg in the front row of Courtroom 1 as the police prosecutor stood in front of magistrate Karen Fryar to reveal the severity of the nine charges laid against him, following a wild brawl in the early hours of February 5, in Civic, Canberra.

Wighton will return to court in July. (Kym Smith)

Five charges of common assault, three charges of assault ocassioning actual bodily harm — replaced following the last-minute withdrawal of the three intended charges of recklessly or intentionally inflicting actually bodily harm — and one charge of urinating in a public place.

Wighton’s head remained pinned to his chest even when Twigg explained that, because they were yet to receive the police statement of facts and or the CCTV vision, it was his client’s intention to enter a not guilty plea.

The victims of Wighton’s charges were revealed as Thomas Gregory, William Abbott-Miller, Jack Murphy and three unknown males.

Normal NRL life will carry on for Wighton in the meantime. (Kym Smith)

The DPP added that it was their intention to use the words of witnesses and so too that of CCTV footage to prove Wighton guilty of all nine charges.

The matter was adjourned until Tuesday, July 10 — leaving Wighton and Trigg three months to review the police statement of facts and crucially, the CCTV footage before the public does — and in doing so, deciding ultimately whether to fight or negotiate a plea-bargain with the DPP.

If found guilty on at least one of the charges, it will almost certainly be Wighton’s last game of the season in round 17 against Canterbury in Canberra on July 7.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will watch out for his player. (Kym Smith)

Until then, the adjournment means Wighton can continue to play for the Raiders until he has his day in court.

It’s the right decision and the only decision with the club taking an ‘innocent until proven guilty’ stance, which is supported by the NRL.

“The club will allow Wighton to continue to train and play with the club during this period,’’ a club statement said.

“The Raiders will continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit and have informed them with the latest developments.’’

Wighton left court flanked by his most loyal supporters, Raiders officials Matt Ford, Ben Pollack and head coach Ricky Stuart.

They have fought and defended the Orange local junior from the day he signed with the Raiders at age 15.

Their support is loyal.

But loyalty may not save Wighton anymore. Perhaps time and his lawyer can.

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Originally published as Canberra Raiders back Jack Wighton, as charges for assault adjourned until July