NRL, Manase Fainu: Manly Sea Eagles star to stand trial on alleged church party stabbing
Manly Sea eagles star Manase Fainu will stand trial accused of stabbing a man in the back at a Mormon church dance party in western Sydney.
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NRL star Manase Fainu, 21, has been committed to stand trial accused of stabbing a man in the back at a Mormon church dance party, pleading not guilty in Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday.
The Manly Sea Eagles player, who has been stood down by the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy since his arrest in October, is accused of stabbing a 24-year-old man with a 10cm knife during a fight at Wattle Grove.
Police allege witnesses saw Fainu stab the man during the brawl.
Fainu’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri has previously claimed his client was the victim of mistaken identity because of his high profile.
“We are fighting the charges,” Mr Tabchouri said outside Campbelltown Courthouse. “He is not guilty. We will continue to fight them and go to trial. It’s all very difficult for anyone fighting any matter. We are coping but it is hard.”
Fainu did not speak to waiting media.
The Guildford man will stand trial on the charge of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and two back up offences of affray and cause reckless grevious bodily harm.
The NRL player spent two weeks remanded in custody following his arrest and was granted Supreme Court bail in November.
He will be arraigned in Parramatta District Court on August 7.