Latrell Mitchell racist slur: Daniel Hudson pleads guilty in court

One of two men charged with sending racial slurs to Souths Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has pleaded guilty to calling him offensive names.

A “passionate” lifelong West Tigers fan has pleaded guilty to making racist slurs against South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell.

Daniel Robert Hudson, of Lake Munmorah, faced Wyong Local Court on Wednesday pleading

guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend.

The court heard that on April 17, following the South Sydney vs West Tigers game, Hudson sent a message to Mitchell’s Instagram account saying “enjoy your time on the sidelines you dirty abo. You should have been sent off twice tonight, when are you gunna clean up ya act and not play like a dirty c**t”.

Daniel Hudson (left) leaves court after pleading guilty to making racial slurs against South Sydney Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Fiona Killman

The 25-year-old, who is unemployed and lives with his parents, remained quiet during his appearance with his father by his side.

His criminal lawyer Ryan Finch told the court that the second charge of the same offence would be “rolled into” the first charge. He also mentioned he was looking at making a Section 32, mental health, application at the next appearance.

Facts tendered to the court state that Hudson is a life long West Tigers fan and regrets his actions.

They state that on April 17 Mitchell was involved in “a number of on-field incidents during a game against the Wests Tigers”. Mitchell was banned for four weeks by the NRL judiciary for a dangerous elbow on Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma during the match.

Latrell Mitchell is tackled during the round six NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers on April 17. Picture: Brett Hemmings

“There was no action taken against the victim much to the displeasure of Wests Tigers supporters,” the facts read.

South Sydney supporters had taken to Mitchell’s Instagram page, followed by 200,000 people, to vent their frustration after the game.

At 8.31pm on April 17, Hudson sent his first message to Mitchell calling him an “abo” and “dirty c**t”.

The next day at around 7pm, he sent another message to Mitchell’s account saying “have fun on the sidelines ya grub”.

Just over an hour later, he sent “You’re a grub Latrell I’d bash you … word”.

Mitchell was deeply offended by the remarks. Picture: Mark Kolbe

The facts stated that Mitchell was “deeply offended” by the messages and did not reply, however reported the matter to the NRL and South Sydney Football Club.

On April 20, he gave a statement to police and the Fixated Persons Investigation Unit identified Hudson through his Instagram account.

Late on April 23, police went to Hudson’s house in Lake Munmorah and executed a search warrant. Hudson admitted sending the messages and said he did it out of “frustration” from the incident during the game.

He said he was not racist and regrets sending the offensive messages. He gave police his passwords, phone and laptop before being arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station.

Daniel Hudson leaves court until his next appearance in July. Picture: Fiona Killman

Mr Finch told the Express Advocate Mr Hudson was “very remorseful”.

“He’s a young man who is exceptionally sorry,” he said.

“He has some mental health issues and he’s expressed that to the police and we will express that to the court. He will also write a letter of apology to Latrell Mitchell and he’s asked me to provide that as well.

“He accepts he should never go to utilise race as a weapon and recognises it is entirely appropriate for Souths and Latrell Mitchell to call that out.”

Mr Hudson will next appear at Wyong Local Court on July 30.