Broncos star Payne Haas dodges conviction for intimidating police during drunken outburst

Broncos star Payne Haas’ foul-mouthed tirade has been revealed as he apologised for intimidating police during a drunken outburst.

Brisbane Broncos forward Payne Haas leaves Tweed Heads court. Picture: Steve Holland/NCA NewsWire

Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has apologised for intimidating police during a drunken foul-mouthed tirade on NSW’s north coast last month.

The NSW Origin forward escaped a conviction after pleading guilty on Thursday and promised to be a better person going forward.

He could still face sanctions from the NRL over his conduct, described as “appalling” by Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy.

Broncos star Payne Haas arrives at Tweed Heads Local Court. He is charged with intimidating police and using offensive language.#queensland #crime #court pic.twitter.com/Gk29v8qKFG

— Blake Antrobus (@bt_ant) February 3, 2021

Haas was arrested in January on the streets of Tweed Heads in northern NSW and charged with two counts of intimidating police and one count of using offensive language.

Haas’ foul mouthed tirade to police caused officers to feel intimidated, court facts reveal, but the Broncos star has avoided convictions after pleading guilty to two counts of intimidating police at Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

The 21-year-old was silent as he entered Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday flanked by his legal team and pregnant partner Leilani Mohenoa.

Prosecutors dropped the offensive language charge as Haas, who earns $550,000 a season, pleaded guilty to the remaining offences.

Police facts reveal Haas was confronted by two police officers at Jack Evans Boat Harbour on Boundary Street at 10.00pm on January 16.

He was with his partner and immediately became argumentative and aggressive towards police, the facts state.

Haas (left in blue suit) leaves court with his legal team and partner after receiving a good behaviour order. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

When asked for ID, Haas replied “F..k the ID, I don’t need to give you ID.”

“You got a badge on you and you think you’re a f..king tough c..t. You put my family in jail you c..ts,” Haas continued in his tirade.

He told one of the officers: “Don’t come near me bro, I’ll f..king jab ya, on my mother’s life I will.”

“Get the f..k out of here bro, get the f..k out of my face or I’ll take all of you on myself you f..kwits.”

Haas looked at the second officer and said: “Why you looking at me like that? Cause you’re a woman? Cause you’re a woman and you think that I won’t touch ya?”

Both officers felt intimidated and placed him under arrest.

His lawyer, David Garratt, said his client was extremely embarrassed and remorseful, having apologised to police immediately after the incident.

He asked a conviction not be recorded due to Haas’s age and the further sanctions he would likely face from the NRL.

“He’s learned his lesson, he’s been completely shattered because of this,” Mr Garratt told the court.

“He’s definitely facing a two-pronged punishment.”

Payne Haas and his girlfriend Leilani Mohenoa arrive at court. Haas’s defence lawyer said his client had a difficult upbringing and he was unable to process the grief caused by the loss of his brother last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Mr Garratt said the catalyst for the offending was the death of Haas’s brother last year, with the young footballer struggling to process his grief.

He said his client did not drink much and had gained significant insight into his actions.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said it was a difficult choice not to record a conviction as Haas’ offending warranted a message of deterrence.

Haas was placed on a two-year good behaviour order with no convictions recorded.

Haas, his partner and his legal team did not speak to media as he left the court.

It’s not the first time the NRL star has courted controversy.

In 2019, Haas was fined $20,000 and stood down for the opening four rounds of the competition for failing to comply with an NRL Integrity Unit investigation.

Payne Haas issued a statement after his sentencing, saying he was remorseful for what happened.

In a statement released after his court appearance, Haas said he took full responsibility for what happened and was “extremely sorry”.

“I have gone to see the police officers involved and offered them a full apology for my conduct, as well as spending time with police going through what I did,” Haas said.

“I had been drinking and the words I used and the way I acted were totally unacceptable. I’d like to thank the police for taking the time to see me, and accepting my apology.

“I did the wrong thing and let myself down as well as my family and the Club – but most importantly, I acted in way that showed disrespect to the police, and I am really sorry for that.

“I will learn from this incident and I will be a better person in the future.”

Broncos CEO Paul White said the Club was working with the NRL Integrity Unit on finalising the matter.

“Payne’s behaviour was disappointing and not acceptable – he knows he has done the wrong thing and has taken ownership of his actions, and apologised in person to the police involved as well as sitting with them to run through his behaviour on that night.

“Those steps, off his own bat, show that Payne wants to be better and improve as a person, and we will continue to work with Payne to ensure he sure he continues to receive the support and education that he needs.”

An NRL spokesman told NCA NewsWire the Integrity Unit is expected to hand down a decision on the matter next week.

Originally published as Broncos star Payne Haas dodges conviction for intimidating police during drunken outburst