Former NRL star James Roberts arrested at courthouse

A former NRL star has been charged with domestic violence offences after his shocking arrest at a Sydney courthouse, in which he punched a police van as he was taken into custody. See the exclusive video.

Former NRL star James Roberts has been charged with domestic violences after he was arrested at a Sydney courthouse, making a dramatic outburst as he was shepherded into a police wagon.

The ex-first grader was due to face a magistrate for an apprehended violence order mention on Wednesday, in which his wife Anna Jovanovic is the listed person in need of protection.

The former centre – also known as Jimmy the Jet – was seen to be agitated before police officers attended the courthouse and escorted him out to a waiting police van.

Roberts, 30, was then seen to swear and punch the van’s rear window as he climbed inside, causing police officers to flinch backwards.

He then yelled out multiple times inside the van, saying “see what you do to me?”.

Former NRL player James Roberts.

The ex-centre was arrested at the Downing Centre.

In a statement, NSW Police confirmed Roberts was granted bail to face court on November 1 charged with domestic violence offences.

“On September 15, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation into reports of alleged breaches of an apprehended domestic violence order involving a 35-year-old woman,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

“He was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with contravening a prohibition or restriction in an apprehended domsetic violence order and intimidation.”

Roberts played 168 games throughout his 11-year career for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gold Coast Titans, the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers.

Former NRL player James Roberts, 30, has been arrested at the Downing Centre Local Court after appearing in an AVO matter. Photo by: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

NSW Courts were unable to provide any of the order’s conditions while it remains provisional only.

Roberts is to return to court on the AVO matter on October 25.

The Kempsey-born man played his junior football with the Ballina Seagulls, and also played at representative level for the Indigenous All-Stars and the 2018 NSW Origin squad.

He retired from first-grade football in 2022 but in 2023 played for the Hills Bulls in the NSWRL.