Sea Eagles star Liam Knight allegedly sprayed insect repellent into his mouth in police custody

EXCLUSIVE: YOUNG Manly Sea Eagles star Liam Knight sprayed insect repellent into his mouth after being arrested for high-range drink-driving.

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RISING Manly Sea Eagles star Liam Knight allegedly sprayed insect repellent into his mouth after being arrested by police for high-range drink-driving and speeding at almost double the limit.

The 21-year-old P-plater was caught in Frenchs Forest in the early hours of Wednesday morning and has been charged with drink driving and speeding after allegedly returning a breath test analysis of 0.176 and travelling at 137km/h in a 70km/h zone.

Police will allege they had followed Knight after he sped past them in a red Mazda station wagon at the corner of Forest Way and Warringah Rd.

The young prop recently signed a contract extension until the end of the 2017 season but has been stood down indefinitely.

Police further allege Knight grabbed a can of insect repellent and sprayed it into his mouth as he sat in the rear seat of the police car after his arrest. It is suspected this may have been done in an attempt to mask the alcohol.

The Eagles’ forward was taken to Frenchs Forest police station where police allege he requested to go to the toilet but they advised him he must submit to a formal breath test first.

Police further allege Knight refused to go into the room resulting in officers physically moving him in and sitting him down.

The Manly player allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.176 resulting in the high-range

drink-driving charge and exceeding the speed limit by over 45km/h hour.

He was also issued with a licence suspension notice and his licence was immediately confiscated.

Police allege Knight behaved in a cocky manner while he was detained.

The front-row forward has been stood down from the club indefinitely and the incident reported to the NRL integrity unit, a Sea Eagles statement said.

The club said it would be making no further comment on the matter until a thorough investigation was completed.

The Manly youngster recently signed a contract extension until the end of the 2017 season.

He is due to face Manly Court on April 20.