Paul Carter: Former NRL Rooster utility avoids jail time after spitting on ex-partner’s three times

A troubled former Sydney Roosters utility who spat on his ex’s face three times before leaving her bruised in a drunken outburst has avoided jail.

Former Rabbitohs player Paul Carter in 2015. He was sentenced at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Chambers

A troubled former Sydney Roosters utility who spat on his ex’s face three times before leaving her bruised in a drunken outburst has been spared jail.

After he was arrested days later, Paul Carter, 31, called police “f----t fingers b---h”, “melon headed c--t” and “devon head b---H”.

The son of NRL premiership winner and Penrith Panthers player Steve Carter fronted Waverley Local Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for domestic violence related common assault, contravening an AVO and resist or hinder police. He pleaded guilty to the charges last month.

Court documents reveal Carter, his ex and his current partner travelled to his parents’ Coffs Harbour home on July 29 last year.

The following evening, the victim heard Carter and his father “making derogatory comments” about his aunt’s “drinking habits”.

Former NRL player Paul Carter outside Waverley Local Court in November.

Believing they were “behaving inappropriately” and making “nasty comments”, she entered the room and Carter became agitated and aggressive.

He cornered her into a bedroom and a “verbal and physical altercation ensued”.

Court documents reveal “in his enraged state” Carter said words to the effect of “you’re a f---ing slut/c--t” and spat on his ex’s face “approximately three times”.

Carter held the victim’s right hand with “significant force” which caused bruising and discolouration of the skin.

The pair separated before Carter pushed the victim’s head, causing bruising and swelling.

Paul Carter getting tackled during his time at the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Dean Lewins

She left the next morning before she reported the incident on August 1.

That same evening, police visited the 31 year old’s Randwick home where they later found him in the bedroom and he failed to comply with directions before being told he was under arrest.

He was aggressive towards police and an officer was injured while attempting to handcuff him.

On Wednesday, the prosecutor said the section five threshold – when there’s no alternative sentence for the court other than jail – was crossed.

Magistrate Ross Hudson noted Carter had been on bail for “some 16 months” and no further offending had been committed since the offence.

However, he said “spitting on someone is an absolutely disgusting act”.

The court heard the 43-game NRL player now worked in excavation and had an alcohol issue in the past.

“I am of the view … there are good reasons … not to impose a custodial sentence,” Mr Hudson said.

“Also note … in terms of domestic violence … either in terms of emotionally, psychologically … physically in this case … will not be tolerated.”

Carter was ultimately convicted for each offence and placed on a 12-month community correction order for the resist charge. He was handed a two-year CCO for the contravene as well as for the common assault where he must complete 140 hours of community service.