Ex-NRL star Chris Sandow takes police assault charges to trial
Ex-NRL star Chris Sandow has denied allegations of assaulting a police officer, but will have to wait in custody on remand for months before his trial.
Police & Courts
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An ex-Parramatta Eels star will remain in custody while he awaits a court date to fight assault charges.
Once NRL Rookie of the Year Christopher Carl Gene Sandow, 33, was charged in August this year with serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm, serious assault of a police officer or person acting in aid of police officer, two counts of obstructing police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of driving without a licence and evasion.
Mr Sandow’s bail was denied twice for the charges, and he is now on remand at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, according to the Department of Corrections.
On October 7, ATSILS defence lawyer Patty O’Donnell told the Ipswich Magistrates Court Mr Sandow would be pleading not guilty to the charges of serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm and serious assault of a police officer or person acting in aid of a police officer.
On November 28, Mr O’Donnell told the court Mr Sandow still intended to plead not guilty to those charges and would be taking the matter to trial.
The decision follows Mr O’Donnell’s review of police body-worn camera footage of the alleged assault, which police allege occurred on August 28, 2022, at Mr Sandow’s East Ipswich house.
It is alleged on that occasion Mr Sandow twice obstructed one officer in the performance of his duties, assaulted another officer (causing bodily harm) and further assaulted a man at the scene.
Mr O’Donnell has emphasised throughout court proceedings that Mr Sandow had always respected the police and wants to be a role model for sports people of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous descent.
On November 28, a trial was set down for February 9, 2023, for the assault charges, and Mr Sandow was further remanded in custody.
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