Dapto rugby league gun Tyrone Roberts warned not to ‘screw up’ career with driving record

A rugby league young gun “on the brink of a professional career” in the NRL has been warned he would be locked up if he continues to drive while disqualified.

Tyrone Roberts has hopes of playing in the NRL for the Wests Tigers.

A rugby league young gun with hopes of playing for the Wests Tigers has avoided a jail sentence for his horrendous driving record which saw him get behind the wheel three times while disqualified.

Tyrone William Roberts, 20, previously pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court to three counts of driving while disqualified and two counts of failing to appear.

During his last court appearance the Warilla Gorillas 2022 premiership player also pleaded guilty to an affray in December, for which he was convicted and fined $400.

Documents tendered to the court state the three driving matters took place in November and December.

The court previously heard the Dapto man was “on the brink of a professional career playing for the Tigers” and was also “working as a scaffolder”.

Tyrone Roberts played for the Warilla Gorillas’ 2022 Group 7 grand final success.

In court on Tuesday, Magistrate Claire Girotto began proceedings by asking “How’s the footy going?”.

“Good,” Roberts replied.

Tyrone Roberts leaving Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.

Ms Girotto said she would be given little choice but to send Roberts to jail if he was to continue driving while disqualified.

“Every time you do this the court has to ask what else can it do,” the magistrate said.

“You’ve got a bright future and that’s (Roberts’ driving record) is going to screw it up so think before you do it again – or don’t do it again.

“I am considered a lenient magistrate and I would send you in if you did this again.”

Roberts was supported by a large group and Ms Girotto told him to “look at all the people that care” about him.

“You don’t want to let them down,” she said.

Ms Girotto convicted Roberts of all charges and sentenced him to a 12-month community correction order and disqualified him from driving for the same period.

Roberts was also ordered to pay two fines totalling $1800 and complete 100 hours of community service.