Sam Burgess: Former Souths captain caught by camera, police say

It was a hi-tech police camera which caught former Souths and England captain Sam Burgess when he was charged with traffic offences earlier this month.

Former NRL star Sam Burgess was not the victim of a targeted tip-off when he was allegedly caught driving with cocaine in his system.

A hi-tech camera fitted to a highway patrol car identified that Burgess’ BMW X5 was unregistered, which is why he was stopped on the Old Hume Highway on February 15, police sources confirmed.

The revelation contradicts speculation that police officers were acting on a tip-off when they pulled the former South Sydney captain and England star over.

Burgess was charged with driving an unregistered car and police will allege the ­Englishman has never held a NSW driver’s licence, despite first playing for Souths in the NRL back in 2010.

Police also allege he returned a positive roadside drug test for cocaine, which has been sent away for further analysis.

Former NRL star Sam Burgess was pulled over by police for traffic offences earlier this month. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Results of the testing could take several weeks.

Burgess was driving to pick up his two children.

The Sunday Telegraph understands the visit was initially planned to take place at the property he rents just outside of Bowral.

Hours before though, it is believed Burgess was notified he needed to drive into Bowral itself to collect them from the local Botanic Gardens.

Police pulled Burgess over when he exited the highway from Sydney.

Police also allege Burgess – here with ex-wife Phoebe – had cocaine in his system when stopped. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty

He was issued a court ­attendance notice for the charges of driving a vehicle while a resident of more than three months and not obtaining a local licence and using an unregistered vehicle and is due to appear in Moss Vale Local Court on May 4.

Meanwhile it can also be revealed Burgess has lodged an appeal against his conviction for intimidating his ex-wife Phoebe’s father Mitchell Hooke at his Glenquarry property on ­October 19, 2019 with the intention of causing him physical and mental harm.

Police deny getting a tip-off in regards to the latest alleged Burgess offences. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The case is listed for mention in the District Court on March 15.

The ex-Rabbitohs captain was sentenced on February 5 to a two-year community correction order with anger management support.

He had pleaded not guilty to intimidation and a back-up count of common assault over the verbal clash with Mr Hooke at his sprawling Glenquarry property on October 19, 2019. The assault charge was dismissed.

Burgess is forbidden from ­approaching his father-in- law, the former CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, nor is he allowed within one kilometre of Mr Hooke’s farm.