Coronavirus causes further delay in Jack De Belin’s sexual assault trial
NRL star Jack de Belin’s sexual assault trial has been hit with further delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Nowra man allegedly spat at cop’s after saying he had COVID-19
- Ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship docks at Port Kembla
The coronavirus pandemic has further delayed NRL star Jack de Belin’s sexual assault trial, with his next court appearance delayed for at least two more months.
De Belin, who has pleaded not guilty to five charges of aggravated sexual assault, was due to face court for continued pre-trial legal argument this Wednesday. But due to the virus and subsequent safety measures, including social distancing, introduced by the District Court, the case has been further adjourned to June 22.
The St George Illawarra and NSW Origin forward became the first player to be sidelined under the NRL’s “no fault” stand down rule which allows the game to stand aside players facing serious criminal charges, after he, and 21-year-old Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair were accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman at Wollongong apartment in December 2018.
The pair were due to begin a two-week trial on February 3, after pleading not guilty to five charges of aggravated sexual assault, but complex pre-trial legal arguments forced the court to delay the start of the trial.
It was hoped those arguments would be wrapped up by the end of that week, however on February 13, District Court Judge Andrew Haesler made the decision to postpone the pre-trial arguments to April 8, due to the sudden illness of a key witness.
On Monday, both De Belin and Sinclair’s lawyers and the prosecution agreed to adjourn the matter to June, where a new date for the continued arguments will be set.
While de Belin is still contracted to the Dragons until the end of this year and is still being paid his full salary, the “no fault” policy means he is facing a second straight year on the sideline.
The NRL has suspended the 2020 season due to the worldwide pandemic, however, is hoping to resume play on June 1.