Ex-NRL star Chris Sandow to contest police assault charges

Ex-Parramatta Eels star Chris Sandow is expected later this year to plead not guilty to assaulting police but remains in custody, a court has heard.

Ex-NRL halfback Chris Sandow will be contesting the charges that led to him being locked up on remand for more than a month so far.

The former Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs player has been charged 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.

The offences allegedly occurred throughout July and August this year and culminated with the alleged assaults and obstruction of police at Mr Sandow’s East Ipswich house.

It is alleged on that occasion Mr Sandow twice obstructed officer Peter Torzsok in the performance of his duties.

He also allegedly assaulted officer Taleah Kay Doyle, causing bodily harm and assaulted a man at the scene, Andrew Norman Goulding.

NRL player Chris Sandow.

Mr Sandow was refused bail on August 30, due to the potential he could reoffend or fail to appear and was refused once again on September 12.

On October 4, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Legal Service defence lawyer Patrick O’Donnell said the prosecution had not yet provided him with body-worn camera footage of the alleged incident on August 28, and the matter was adjourned.

After reviewing the footage, Mr O’Donnell told the court on Friday (October 7) that 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.

Mr O’Donnell said Mr Sandow had always respected the police and wanted to be a role model for sports people of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous descent.

The matter was adjourned to November 28, and Mr Sandow was further remanded in custody.