John Hopoate to have mental health assessed before driving charges are heard

Former Sea Eagles NRL star John Hopoate will have his mental health assessed before three charges of driving on a suspended licence are heard.

Former Manly NRL star John Hopoate leaves Manly Local Court today. Picture: Richard Dobson

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FORMER Sea Eagles NRL star John Hopoate will have his mental health assessed before three charges of driving on a suspended licence are heard.

His lawyer sought, and received, permission in Manly Local Court on Wednesday, to have him assessed for a Section 32 application under the Mental Health Act.

John Hopoate pretending to re-enact his infamous 2001 finger poking incident during a Legends of League charity game last month. Picture: Tim Hunter.

A a report will be lodged on January 21, with Hopoate to reappear in Manly Court on January 24.

Hopoate was arrested for driving on a suspended licence on a day before he was due to front court on two previous charges of driving while suspended, on November 28.

Former Manly NRL star John Hopoate leaves Manly Local Court today. Picture: Richard Dobson

Hopoate, 45, of Dee Why, was in Manly Local Court on Wednesday to answer charges that earlier this year he drove a truck and a four-wheel-drive vehicle after his licence had been taken away from him.

Highway Patrol officers allegedly caught Hopoate behind the wheel of the same truck about 1pm on Tuesday, November 27.

Documents tendered to court state that he was seen driving a Daihatsu truck on Patanga Rd, Frenchs Forest.

On September 6, at about 1.15pm, Hopoate was charged after he was allegedly seen by police driving the same Daihatsu along Frenchs Forest Rd East at Frenchs Forest.

Then on November 1, at 2.30pm the ex-footballer was charged with driving while his licence was suspended after he was allegedly seen behind the wheel of a Holden Rodeo 4WD on Ellis Rd at Beacon Hill.

Hopoate has yet to enter a plea to any of the three charges.