John Lang supports ex-NRL player Chris Sandow’s successful bail application

A former NRL rookie of the year is headed for rehab as his family and a legendary rugby league coach celebrate his successful bail application just in time for Christmas.

Ex-NRL legend Chris Sandow is headed for rehab as his family and former coach John Lang celebrate his successful bail application, just in time for Christmas. Picture: Mark Evans

A former NRL star is headed for rehab while he awaits trial after spending nearly four months behind bars for an alleged police assault.

Ex-Parramatta Eels and Souths Sydney Rabbitohs star Christopher Carl Gene Sandow, 33, made his third application for bail in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 22 following his arrest in August for allegedly assaulting two police officers.

His former coach John Lang attended court to support him, along with his mother Rhonda – who court heard had attended every one of his court appearances to date.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Brad Dick said police alleged Mr Sandow headbutted a female police officer twice, causing facial injuries and punched another officer in the face when they attended his house on August 28.

Court documents have revealed those officers to be Taleah Kay Doyle and Andrew Norman Goulding.

Sgt Dick said Mr Sandow also stands charged with a “particularly serious” dangerous drive on the Ipswich Motorway, in which he allegedly swerved “erratically” between three lanes, forcing multiple cars to take evasive action.

Sgt Dick said a speed camera had detected Mr Sandow driving in his Black 2021 Toyota Landcruiser at a speed of 158 km and when police apprehended him he “threatened to have police jobs for what they had done”.

Sgt Dick said Mr Sandow had also told them “ever since he moved to Ipswich, police have been picking on him”.

Mr Sandow’s full list of charges includes serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm, serious assault of a police officer or person acting in aid of a police officer, evasion, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and three counts of driving without a licence.

Mr Sandow was denied bail on his first two applications but the third time was the charm for the former NRL rookie of the year.

At the third bail application, Mr Sandow’s lawyer Paddy O’Donnell tendered character references from NRL figures Scott Sattler and Isaac Moses – in addition to a reference from Mr Lang, which he tendered last week.

NRL coach John Lang exiting the Ipswich Courthouse on December 22, 2022, after Chris Sandow's third bail application. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr O’Donnell said Mr Sandow’s circumstances had changed since his last bail application due to there now being a bed available for him at The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Alcohol & Drug Dependence Service (QAIAS).

He said Mr Sandow acknowledged he had drug issues over the past three or four years but was committed to the program.

“He wants to address (his drug issues) and become a better person and re-engage in his culture, he wants to get involved in sport,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Sgt Dick maintained bail was opposed on the grounds Mr Sandow posed an unacceptable risk of reoffending, a risk of failing to appear, and a risk of endangering the public.

He said there was no medical evidence provided to confirm Mr Sandow had an issue with drugs or alcohol – and nor was there any suggestion that either played a role in any of his alleged offending.

“Your honour has before you an offer of a bed but, with respect, rehabilitation for what?” Sgt Dick said.

He quoted the reference from Mr Moses: “Christopher is far from perfect and has undoubtedly made some choices over the years that have been poor”.

“There’s no mention of drugs, there’s no mention of alcohol … If these issues exist, they can be dealt with at sentencing or post-sentencing, because they’re not the cause for the offending in the first place,” Sgt Dick said.

Magistrate Robert Walker said he did regard the new bed opening up as a sufficient material change in circumstances for bail to be considered again.

He made a point to note that he did have knowledge of Mr Sandow before the proceedings.

“I should put on the record that I’m very familiar with the defendant through his career as a rugby league player because I do have a personal interest in the game,” Mr Walker said.

He said he didn’t think that impacted his ability to be impartial and both parties agreed they had no objection to his presiding over the matter.

Mr Walker granted Mr Sandow bail, on the condition he wear a tracker and reside at the QAIAS facility.

ATSILS lawyer Paddy O'Donnell (left) with Rhonda Sandow (right), celebrating ex-NRL star Chris Sandow's successful bail application on December 22, 2022. Picture: Nicola McNamara

He said the risks Sgt Dick had highlighted concerning Mr Sandow potentially reoffending, failing to appear or endangering the community would be sufficiently reduced under those conditions.

Mr Sandow was expected to be transferred from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Facility to the QAIAS facility on Thursday night.

Ms Sandow and Mr Lang were elated with the outcome with the defendant’s mum voicing her excitement to visit her son for Christmas.

Mr Sandow is expected to appear on February 9, 2023 to contest the police assault allegations.