Former NRL star cops community service after obstructing police

A controversial former rugby league player has been ordered by a court to serve 200 hours of unpaid community service after pleading guilty to obstructing police.

Former footballer Chris Sandow pictured with his lawyer Paddy O’Donnell outside Ipswich Courthouse. Picture: David Clark

A controversial rugby league star has been ordered by a court to serve 200 hours of unpaid community services after pleading guilty to obstructing police.

Former Parramatta Eels halfback Christopher Carl Gene Sandow was charged with one count each of obstructing a police officer and driving without a licence disqualified by a court order.

The 35-year-old father pleaded guilty to both offences in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard he behaved in an inappropriate manner on August 23 that included kicking and shouting to bystanders to film the interactions when an officer was putting him in a police vehicle.

Sandow continued to kick and resist entering the pod for around two minutes.

The court also heard that he drove unlicensed on King Edward Pde in Ipswich on October 22.

Police prosecutor sergeant Brad Dick said the offence was subject to a suspended sentence when he committed the offences.

“My explanation would be to activate that sentence,” he said.

“It’s not the worst breach of an order, but it’s still a breach of the order.”

Magistrate Jason Schubert said the offences were a contempt of the court order.

He ordered Sandow to perform 200 hours of unpaid community services within a year and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for two years.

He also extended his suspended jail sentence for another three months.

Mr Schubert warned him that he would face “real prospect” of an actual custodial sentence if he drove.

“Don’t think that you can just go down to the shop to drive, because most police cars have scanners on them operating the whole time,” he said.

“Don’t come back before the court.”

Convictions were recorded.

Mr Sandow told the Courier-Mail he was regretful for what he did.

“It was a good outcome today,” he said.

He also revealed that he had no plans to play again at the NRL, but he would focus on coaching opportunities.

Sandow made his NRL debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2008 and was recognised with the Dally M Rookie of the Year award. He then switched to Parramatta Eels in 2012 before joining England club Warrington Wolves in 2015.