Woolgoolga rugby league player Sione Fangupo released with community corrections order after domestic violence

A talented Coffs Coast rugby league player who trained with Greg Inglis will be released from jail after domestic violence. See why he was told there’s more to life than drinking beer at the Woolgoolga RSL.

Talented Woolgoolga rugby league player Sione Fangupo trained with Greg Inglis.

A prominent Woolgoolga rugby league player jailed in October for punching his victim in the head has faced court appealing the sentence.

Sione Fangupo, 25, appeared by audio visual link on Friday (December 9) at Coffs Harbour District Court, after being previously sentenced to common assault and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO.

The court head Fangupo and the victim argued over “belongings” before he lashed out, punching her to the jaw with a closed palm on December 23 last year.

Police said there were several threats and repeated contact with the victim via phone calls, texts and Snapchat messages.

Talented Woolgoolga rugby league player Sione Fangupo trained as a junior with Greg Inglis.

The victim was a protected person under an apprehended violence order at the time of Fangupo’s offending.

The victim felt “on edge and had trouble sleeping due to the accused’s constant harassment”.

In a screenshot of a Snapchat sent from his account ‘tongandoggie’, Fangupo said “you’ve gotta drop the charge or try to do something … I’m going to jail because of you”.

Another message said “you can go and get f***** you c***”.

The court heard Fangupo was a talented footy player and trained with NRL legend Greg Inglis as a junior.

Fangupo’s lawyer, Jesse Sinclair, said alcohol and violence were clearly areas of concern.

Fangupo has been serving an eight-month prison sentence since September 13, but Mr Sinclair said it was “not a long time to correct his behaviour”.

“He’s locked up with people who arguably have poor attitudes to women and violence,” Mr Sinclair said.

He argued jail wasn’t assisting Fangupo’s rehabilitation and said with the support of his family – who were present in court – his client had a good prospect of rehabilitation.

“There are lots of supportive women in his life and he has strong men who provided references,” Mr Sinclair said.

Judge Jonathan Priestley said Fangupo seemed like a “gentleman” when he didn’t drink.

He insisted Fangupo should be taken out of the “anti-social” prison environment to engage with the men's behaviour change program to teach him “you can’t beat women”.

Crown prosecutor Ms Carter said Fangupo had already served two intensive corrections orders, in 2016 and 2017 respectively, over domestic violence matters.

Judge Jonathan Priestley said Fangupo needed to change his habits.

“Not all of us are meant to be drinkers,” Mr Priestley said.

He took this case as an opportunity to send a message around domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is a really big issue in our community – punching your partner in the head is not a trivial matter,” Mr Priestley said.

After the violent outburst, Fangupo harassed the victim over Snapchat.

He said the court had a responsibility to protect the community.

“These are crimes usually done by men to women – and usually the man is bigger and stronger and takes advantage of natural power,” Mr Priestley said.

Describing it as a “hideous cause of behaviour”, he said offenders had to take ownership.

“Stats of women who die because of their partners is truly concerning,” he said.

Mr Priestley acknowledged Fangupo’s strong community ties.

“Apart from when he drinks and gets angry – he seems like a nice gentleman,” he said.

He agreed Fangupo needed to engage in rehabilitation.

“He clearly needs help with drinking and attitudes to women,” Mr Priestley said.

He said prison time would have acted as a “wake up call” for Fangupo and said he was hesitant to sentence him with a community corrections order.

“We’ve been down that road before (referring to 2017 and 2018),” he said.

He noted Fangupo still displayed a lack of maturity.

“He needs to do something with his time instead of drinking beer at Woolgoolga RSL and getting in trouble.”

“His life experience should expand beyond that,” Mr Priestley said.

Mr Priestley upheld the sentence appeal and varied it, meaning Fangupo was to be released from prison on December 9 and must serve a 12-month community corrections order.