Jamil Hopoate: Sentence for attack on Shae Beathe

After failing to live up to his father’s achievements, Jamil Hopoate unleashed a drunken attack on his partner. A court heard the wrath of his famous dad is now keeping him in check.

A member of one of rugby league’s most well-known families, Jamil Hopoate, has accepted any hopes of relaunching his 12-game NRL career are dead, the court has heard.

The 26-year-old son appeared in court by videolink, with a photo of his well-known father John Hopoate stuck to the wall above his right shoulder, to be sentenced for an “abhorrent” domestic violent attack on his girlfriend Shae Beathe in Port Macquarie last December.

Court documents reveal Hopoate struck his partner with an “open right palm” and knocked her to the ground in the car park of Club Panthers before he sped off in his car.

Ms Beathe was taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital for treatment as police located Hopoate and charged him with mid-range drink driving after he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.095.

Court documents state Ms Beathe had been sending Hopoate text messages earlier in the night which indicated she wanted to leave with their nine-month-old child.

When Hopoate ignored the messages, she entered the pokie room and the matter escalated when the former professional rugby league player bent Ms Beathe’s key card and threw it to the ground.

When security intervened, both the guard and Ms Beathe were spat on by Hopoate.

When all parties left the club and spilled into the club‘s car park, Hopoate threatened to ‘bash’ the guards who had been accompanying his partner and their child outside.

Jamil Hopoate arrives at Central Local Court in Sydney earlier this year. Picture: Joel Carrett

Hopoate’s barrister described his client’s conduct on the night in question as “disgraceful”, noting the fact it had taken place not long after being told he had lost his job as an NRL footballer.

“(He was) shook to the core,” he said. “It is a hard thing for a young man to be told he will not play, he will not achieve the same level as his father and brother.”

Mr James said in light of Hopoate’s criminal behaviour and the notoriety surrounding him, he would never be offered an opportunity to play at an NRL level again.

“If he plays again it will be for fun, not professional,” he said. “He needs to find another job.”

The court heard Hopoate has had an alcohol problem since the age of 15, but was now abstinent after living with his parents and partner Ms Beathe.

“He is very much under his father’s thumb,” Mr James said. “His father’s wrath is something far greater than what the court could impose.”

The court heard his father, John Hopoate, pictured, is helping keep him check. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson replied: “I doubt that”.

Magistrate Atkinson said, in light of the rehabilitation efforts and personal circumstances, she would not be sending him into full-time jail.

The court had earlier been told Hopoate, who pleaded guilty to all offences, had returned a positive test to Covid in recent days.

Hopoate was convicted for offences of common assault and stalk/intimidate and sentenced to a 12 month intensive corrections order, with the condition he abstains from alcohol and complete 250 hours of community service.

He was disqualified from driving for four months, fined a total of $2100 for the offences of mid-range drink driving and driving while suspended.