Footy legend Wendell Sailor’s son Jackson Watson for domestic violence charges

Former rugby league star Wendell Sailor’s son has been punished for intimidating his ex-girlfriend and stealing her money during their domestically violent relationship.

Jackson Watson, son of footy legend Wendell Sailor, has been sentenced to intimidating a girlfriend and fraudulently stealing money from her when he attended Sutherland Local Court. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The son of footy legend Wendell Sailor has avoided jail for subjecting his girlfriend to “torment” during their relationship.

Jackson Anthony Watson, 24, appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday where he was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to charges of intimidation and making a false document to obtain financial advantage.

Watson — who is the son of former Brisbane Broncos and Wallabies player Wendell Sailor — was once a talented footballer who represented an Australian representative Indigenous side in his teens, alongside his half-brother Tristan Sailor.

Magistrate Jillian Kiely said Watson, who now lives in Kirrawee, had subjected his girlfriend to “torment” during the course of their relationship which was caused by his paranoia and use of cocaine.

Jackson Watson pleaded guilty to pleaded guilty to charges of intimidation and making a false document to obtain financial advantage. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“He has shown very little insight into his behaviour where he was carrying sharp objects, was jealous, demanding details and drove in a way that caused her to fear for her life,” she said.

“It was a course of conduct that would have been very distressing and caused a breakdown in the relationship.

“At some level there was almost extortion of money where he demanded to see her electronic banking account when she said she didn’t have any money.”

Ms Kiely took into account Watson counselling for drugs, alcohol and gambling. He also paid his ex-partner $675 back and the relationship with the woman had since ended.

She noted at the time of the relationship, Watson had relapsed into taking drugs, drinking and gambling because he was unable to attend programs due to the pandemic.

Ms Kiely said Watson had taken positive steps and had been drug free for seven months.

She noted he was on a “better trajectory” for his mental health and addictions, and had looked to gain employment in plumbing.

Wendell Sailor with his sons, Tristan Sailor (left) and Jackson Watson (right).

The court heard Watson regularly saw a psychologist, had completed drug programs and was doing Alcoholics Anonymous.

Watson was supported in court by his mother, Amy Watson, grandmother, and counsellor.

The court also heard Watson had a three-year-old child who he saw on weekends.

Ms Kiely sentenced Watson to an intensive correction order for 12 months, where he will serve the jail sentence in the community, and he must continue drug, alcohol and gambling relapse prevention programs and complete 75 hours of community service.

Agreed facts tendered to court paint a picture of a relationship marred by fear, paranoia, disrespectful language and impulsive behaviour.

paint a picture of a relationship marred by fear, paranoia, disrespectful language and impulsive behaviour.

The court heard Watson met a 24-year-old woman through a dating app and they were together for two months in August, 2021.

She told police she felt threatened and intimidated by Watson many times and was scared to end the relationship, noting he had an extreme temper and would carry sharp objects.

Only two weeks into their relationship, the woman said she was told to “shut up” for expressing disappointment about Watson no longer wanting to go for a walk as they planned, prompting him to say “I’ll talk to you however the f--k I want.”

A short time later, Watson grabbed the woman’s arm and yanked her onto the road, despite a red walking sign, causing her pain during the dart across the road.

Watson then drove his car fast and erratically, making the woman scared.

About a month later, the woman received a text message from a male friend, making Watson jealous and angry.

Watson once seemed to have a promising rugby league career ahead of him. Picture by Mark Scott

Watson told her he would “bash” and “kill” her friend and demanded to know where he lived.

“If there’s something going on, you’re going to be in trouble,” Watson said to the woman. “I’m not messing around, you’ll get hurt, I swear to God. Don’t f– k with me”.

A couple of days later, Watson became paranoid and claimed he could hear noises outside his apartment.

When the woman sat up from the bed they were laying in, Watson yanked back her arm before he grabbed her phone and threw it across the room, causing the screen protector to crack.

The woman said she wanted to go home but Watson would not let her, claiming he was “protecting her”.

Later that night, the woman told Watson his actions scared her and he became angry, got up close to her face and said, “whatever the f– k you planned, I’m going to find out”.

She started crying and shaking before Watson said, “you should be scared”.

Amy Watson with her son Jackson Watson.

On another occasion, Watson was pacing back and forth at the woman’s house but, when she tried to reassure him, he slapped her away and got a knife before he put scissors next to the bed.

Watson also asked the woman for money daily, claiming he needed to pay for work training and courses and his boss would reimburse her.

She said she gave him $40,000 in cash or transferred money over the course of their relationship.

However, she never received money and spoke with Watson’s boss, who told her he had not worked for him since August and the messages were not from him.

During a police interview, Watson admitted to struggling with a drug addiction and having gambling problems.

He also admitted to sending a fraudulent message to the woman claiming he had to pay $675, which is the subject of the second charge.

Watson once seemed to have a promising rugby league career ahead of him, playing for the Central Coast Roosters’ U18 Country Championship squad in 2015.

He then played for the Cronulla Sharks’ SG Ball squad.

His father Wendell Sailor, who grew up in Sarina near Mackay in North Queensland, played for the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons as well winning the 2000 Rugby League World Cup in one of the 16 times he played for Australia.

Watson was also be re-sentenced after he breached two conditional release orders for two charges of common assault related to 2019 incidents.