Addison Demetriou: Reserve grade centre charged with dangerous driving

A rugby league lower grade journeyman whose season with the Newtown Jets was marred by injury was also dealing with off-field drama after he was caught travelling 127km/h in a 60 zone.

A reserve grade footy player has admitted to driving more than 60 kilometres above the speed limit last year, a court has heard.

Addison William Demetriou, 27, appeared in Sutherland Local Court last week where he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving recklessly/furiously or in a speed/manner dangerous.

Demetriou, who works as labourer, pleaded not guilty to resisting or hindering a police officer in the execution of their duty also related to the driving incident.

The contracted Newtown Jets centre, who plays in the reserve grade Knock On Effect NSW Cup, was driving a black Jeep Cherokee on King Georges Road in Hurstville in the early hours of October 2.

Newtown Jets centre Addison Demetriou pleaded guilty to a serious driving charge in Sutherland Local Court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A statement of facts tendered to court said police clocked the Kingsgrove resident travelling 127km/h in a signposted 60km/h zone at about 2.45am.

Officers signalled for Demetriou to pull over by activating their lights and siren before travelling directly behind the Jeep and again signalled for the car to stop.

According to documents, upon turning into a street, Demetriou narrowly avoided colliding with a parked car due to the speed he was travelling.

Demetriou got out and began to walk away from the car, with officers observing he had a large tribal-type tattoo on his right arm, the documents said.

He told police he wanted to self harm prompting officers to take hold of him.

Police allege he was trying to leave and as a result attempted to move him back towards the car.

Demetriou was allegedly told to place his hands behind his back because he was under arrest.

Addison Demetriou in a drill at the NFL International Combine draft, being held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

Demetriou allegedly resisted and was taken to the ground, being told once again to place his hands behind his back.

Police allegedly told him to stop resisting, the documents said. They could not keep a grip on Demetriou and he allegedly forcibly pushed the officers away.

Officers allegedly used defensive knee strikes to his left thigh, to no effect.

Police allege Demetriou continued to wrestle them and they deployed multiple busts of pepper spray, which had little to no effect on him, the court documents said.

Demetriou allegedly broke free from the officers and ran away prompting officers to give chase.

Redcliffe Dolphins Addison Demetriou on debut for the Redcliffe Dolphins in round 2 of the Intrust Super Cup against Sunshine Coast Falcons. Picture: Chris Higgins for Redcliffe Herald

Police were unable to find him and requested backup and a dog squad, with a perimeter established of surrounding streets.

Police, including the dog squad, were unable to find Demetriou.

Further inquiries allegedly revealed Demetriou was a P-plater at the time.

On October 7, Demetriou went to Kogarah Police Station where he was arrested and charged.

The hearing for the resisting police charge was adjourned to next year where he will also be sentenced for the dangerous driving offence.

Demetriou was named the 2015 National Rugby League U20s Team of the Year centre, and has previously played for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.

The rugby league lower grade journeyman did not play in the final two games of the Newtown Jets season, nor other matches throughout the year, due to injury.

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