Jack de Belin’s 2020 playing future in doubt as sexual assault trial pushed back
Sidelined St George Illawarra Dragons star Jack de Belin’s sexual assault trial has been delayed until at least April, casting further doubt over his playing future.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Named: A list of some of the Illawarra’s drug dealers revealed
- Tributes for ‘beautiful-natures’ teen killed on bike
The sexual assault trial of sidelined NRL star Jack de Belin has been stood over until April, casting further doubt over the 28-year-old’s ability to play the looming 2020 season.
The District Court heard the sudden illness of a key witness has delayed pre-trial arguments, forcing Judge Andrew Haesler to postpone the case until April 8.
It was hoped the witness would be well enough to return to the courtroom on Thursday, however medical certificates tendered to the court stated they were not fit to work at the current time.
Judge Haesler found there was no alternative but to postpone the case until the key witness was able to return to court.
De Belin and 21-year-old Callan Sinclair’s joint jury trial had been due to start last Monday however lawyers for both men raised a series of legal isues they said needed to be resolved before a trial could begin.
On February 3, they each pleaded not guilty to five counts of aggravated sexual assault,
over the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman at a Wollongong unit in December 2018.
The delay has cast further doubt over de Belin’s ability to play the upcoming season, after he was stood down from playing duties by the NRL when he was charged more than 12 months ago.
His case was a major driver in NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and then ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie introducing the game’s “no-fault” stand-down policy.
The St George Illawarra and NSW Origin forward became the first player to be sidelined under the rule which allows the game to stand aside players facing serious criminal charges.
While de Belin is still contracted to the Dragons until the end of this year and is still being paid his full salary, it’s understood the delay will prevent the 28-year-old from commencing the 2020 season with his team.