Origin star Luke O’Donnell faces charges of intimidating father and assaulting female police officer
FORMER NSW Origin star and Sydney Roosters backrower Luke O’Donnell faces serious charges of intimidating his father and assaulting a female police officer.
NSW
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A FORMER NSW Origin star faces serious charges of intimidating his father and assaulting a female police officer.
Police tasered former Sydney Roosters backrower Luke O’Donnell earlier this month after being called to a domestic violence incident.
Last week officers took out an apprehended violence order stopping O’Donnell from approaching his dad, Ross Ray O’Donnell.
The order states that the former Blues and Kangaroos forward “must not approach or be in the company of (his father) for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs”.
It also states that O’Donnell must not “stalk, harass or intimidate” his father.
The father-of-two has pleaded not guilty to intimidation, causing malicious damage, assaulting a female senior constable in the execution of her duty and resisting arrest.
O’Donnell faced Waverley Local Court last week, arriving for the hearing accompanied by his girlfriend.
Police allege they were called to the 37-year-old’s Clovelly unit early in the morning of June 3 to speak with him and that O’Donnell became aggressive.
“A struggle ensued before police tasered the man,” police said in a statement.
O’Donnell — a 14-year NRL veteran who played for Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys before finishing his career with the Roosters — opened a chicken shop after retiring from the NRL and now works as a personal trainer.
“I take great pride in being the best version of myself and thrive on helping others dig deep to improve their health and fitness and bring out their best,” he states on his LinkedIn account.
O’Donnell, who represented himself in court, was granted conditional bail to reappear at Waverley Local Court on October 5 when the AVO is also listed for mention.
The apprehended domestic violence order also states that O’Donnell must not “assault or threaten” his father and must not “intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage any property that belongs” to his father.