Ex-NRL bad boy Anthony Watts turns himself in after wedding ‘attack’

UPDATE: Ex-NRL bad boy and ex-bikie Anthony Watts was six weeks into a 16-week anger management course when he allegedly bashed a bridesmaid’s husband at a Gold Coast wedding.

Anthony Watts at a previous court appearance on the Gold Coast.

EX-NRL bad boy and ex-bikie Anthony Watts was six weeks into a 16-week anger management course when he allegedly bashed a bridesmaid’s husband at a Gold Coast wedding.

Police allege the former North Queensland Cowboys, Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters firebrand and ex-Mongols bikie repeatedly kneed and kicked the interstate wedding guest in the chest, head and stomach after an argument outside the reception at Mudgeeraba on Friday night.

The victim, a 28-year-old Newcastle man, was treated at Robina Hospital for what police described as minor injuries.

Watts, 29, handed himself in to police yesterday morning and later faced Southport Magistrates Court charged with assault occasioning bodily harm as well as other unrelated offences.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mike Campbell opposed bail, saying Watts had extensive criminal history including for flouting court orders.

Defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum said police had dropped references to Watts’ former bikie associations in their objection to bail.

Mr MacCallum said Watts was six weeks into a 16-week anger management course.

He said Watts was in a new relationship, living with his mother at Murwillumbah in northern NSW and working for his uncle as a mature-age apprentice bricklayer.

Magistrate Kay Philipson granted Watts bail on condition he have no contact with prosecution witnesses and continue to reside at Murwillumbah.

Outside court, Mr MacCallum said there had been ‘some sort of physical altercation’ but Watts was denying the allegations against him.

He said Watts could potentially claim self-defence or provocation. “It’s unclear who threw the first punch,” the lawyer said.

“The allegations are quite serious but he’s happy to be out (on bail)’,” he said.

Watts was ordered to reappear in court on Thursday.

EARLIER

Former NRL bad boy and bikie Anthony Watts has been freed on bail after being charged over an alleged wedding bashing on the Gold Coast.

The former North Queensland Cowboys, Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters player turned Mongols bikie was accused of assaulting the husband of a bridesmaid at the Mudgeeraba wedding in the Gold Coast hinterland on Friday night.

Police said the 28-year-old alleged victim was treated at Robina Hospital for minor injuries.

They alleged the incident took place on the street after an argument turned physical.

Watts, 29, handed himself into police earlier this morning, arriving at the Southport police station accompanied by his high-profile lawyer Campbell MacCallum.

Watts declined to comment as he arrived.

The 29-year-old later appeared in Southport Magistrates Court charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, as well as four domestic violence offences including stalking against his long-term ex-partner.

The court heard he has an extensive criminal history including for flouting court orders.

Watts was in a new relationship, living with his mother in Murwillumbah and working as a mature-age apprentice bricklayer with his uncle, Mr MacCallum told the court.

He said Watts was undergoing a 16-week anger management and domestic violence course.

Magistrate Kay Philipson granted Watts bail and remanded him to reappear in court on Thursday.

EARLIER

FORMER NRL bad boy and bikie Anthony Watts has been arrested over an alleged wedding bashing on the Gold Coast.

Detectives have taken Watts in to Southport watch-house.

The former North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters player turned Mongols bikie was accused of assaulting the husband of a bridesmaid at the Mudgeeraba wedding in the Gold Coast hinterland on Friday night.

He handed himself into police, arriving at the Southport police station accompanied by his high-profile lawyer Campbell MacCallum.

Watts declined to comment as he arrived.

The wedding venue owner told News Corp that Watts had stepped in to break up an argument at the reception.

Watts is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court later today charged with assault.

Mr MacCallum said he expected to make a bail application

NRL bad boy Anthony Watts has surrendered to police-he's accused of bashing a man at a wedding. @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/N6Ry9Q8Duf

— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) August 21, 2016

YESTERDAY

POLICE were last night hunting for former rugby league bad boy Anthony Watts for allegedly bashing another guest at a wedding in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The fallen NRL player turned boxer was understood to be outside of Ecostudio Fellini at Mudgeeraba when he allegedly attacked the husband of one of the bridesmaids, at 9pm Friday.

A police media spokesman last night confirmed they were investigating an assault which left a man in his late 20s with minor injuries.

Police confirmed they were looking for a 29-year-old Caucasian man, who was of a muscular build, 180cm tall and had very short hair.

The victim of the alleged assault was taken to Robina Hospital with lacerations to his face.

The police dog squad was called in but failed to find Watts.

“We’re yet to speak to the suspect,” the police spokesman said.

“Investigations are continuing [to find him].”

The Sunday Mail contacted the Ecostudio Fellini who confirmed a police event did occur on the driveway of their property.

In February, police issued a warrant for Watts after he was a no-show for a court appearance on the Gold Coast.

The former Cowboys, Sharks, and Roosters utility has been in strife with police since leaving the game three years ago to join the notorious bikie gang the Finks, now known as the Mongols.

Watts has also faced multiple suspensions from rugby league including an eight-week ban in 2013 for allegedly biting an opponent’s penis during a local game.