Former Newcastle Knights co-captain Jeremy Smith pleads guilty to three domestic violence charges
Graphic details have emerged of the domestic violence incident involving ex-Newcastle Knights co-captain Jeremy Smith, after he pleaded guilty in order to save a young family member from having to give evidence.
Newcastle
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To save a young family member from taking the stand to give evidence, former Newcastle Knights co-captain Jeremy Smith pleaded guilty to three domestic violence charges set down for hearing at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.
The former NRL star put on a brave face as he told Magistrate David Price he wanted the matter finalised today so he could move on.
“I’m pleading guilty because I don’t want to put her on the stand. I don’t think she needs to go through that,” Smith said.
Smith said he had the “right intentions” and just wanted his family to be happy.
The former Kiwi international previously pleaded not guilty to stalk or intimidate to cause fear of physical or mental harm, intentionally damage property and common assault following two heated incidents with his wife, Jody Smith, in October last year.
It led to police taking out an apprehended violence order (AVO) against him on his wife’s behalf, who he had been in a relationship for 20 years before they separated in January last year.
Court documents revealed an argument between the pair at McDonald’s Williamtown on October 11 had arose over suspicions she was seeing someone else.
The incident occurred when Smith, who now lives on the Gold Coast, met Ms Smith when he was in Newcastle to attend two weddings.
In the Maccas carpark, he snatched her phone and tried to go through it, despite Ms Smith repeatedly asking for him to hand it back.
The argument ended when he raised his elbow and hit Ms Smith in the eye.
Documents stated Ms Smith was not injured by the assault but physically distressed and was cried heavily over the incident.
Later that night, at about 11.40pm, despite being told not to come to their family home in Hamilton, Smith turned up intoxicated, trying to get into the house.
He cut the power and eventually climbed through a bedroom window before being confronted by Ms Smith and a baseball bat.
He refused to leave yelling “it’s my house”.
Ms Smith locked herself and other family members in her bedroom while Smith punched a hole in the hallway which went through into the bedroom, knocking a mirror off the wall as he screamed “you’ve done this”.
Police arrived and he was placed under arrest.
In Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, Smith also pleaded guilty to breaching his AVO, on the same day he went to court to fight it on October 31.
On the way to the courthouse that day, Ms Smith unintentionally pulled up behind him at the traffic lights in Newcastle, where he nearly reversed into her vehicle before getting out and yelling “f*ck you, f*ck off”.
On all matters, Magistrate Price told Smith his behaviour was very poor, but commended him for his decision to avoid young family members from giving evidence.
“He doesn’t want her to give evidence on the stand and I commend him for that,” Magistrate Price said.
“His prospects of rehabilitation are good. He has shown remorse.
“But conduct of this nature is unacceptable and domestic violence is a scourge in this community.”
Smith was sentenced to a 15 month community corrections order (CCO) and ordered to pay a $750 fine.
Given Smith now lives on the Gold Coast, Magistrate Price didn’t see the need for supervision.
“Being separated from his family will give him chance to reassess and be a better person,” he said.
The AVO will also be in-force for two years.
Smith who was involved with the Knights on game days in 2019, is also playing for South Newcastle in the Newcastle Rugby League competition, after he signed with the Lions earlier last year.
Before the forward’s four years with the Knights, he also played with the Melbourne Storm, St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks between 2004 and 2012. He notched up 22 Test game for New Zealand.