Mitchell Pearce case to drag on for up to six weeks before NRL verdict handed down

THE Mitchell Pearce case is likely to drag on for up to six weeks before the NRL hands down its punishment for his Australia Day atrocity.

Mitchell Pearce

THE Mitchell Pearce case is likely to drag on for up to six weeks before the NRL hands down its punishment for his Australia Day atrocity.

Integrity unit boss Nick Weeks is refusing to hand down a suspension and/or fine until Pearce and his legal advisors get an opportunity to address officials over an appropriate penalty.

Three of Pearce’s teammates who were with him on the night he simulated sex with a dog, Dale Copley, Jayden Nikorima and Dominic Reardon, have escaped punishment because there was no evidence that they had misbehaved.

The Roosters were notified by the NRL on Monday the three players had no case to answer on the evidence available.

However, Pearce’s own case is going to take much longer to finalise.

Integrity unit chief investigator Karyn Murphy has all but finalised the investigation, having interviewed witnesses inside the house where a drunken Pearce was filmed disgracing himself.

It is now a matter of waiting until Pearce completes his alcohol rehabilitation treatment overseas and returns home.

Mitchell Pearce apologises for his actions on Australia Day, to the media in Surry Hills. Picture Craig Greenhill

Officials have no idea when that might happen because of reports he has been in northern Thailand with his mother, Terri, before entering rehab.

The NRL is mindful of Cronulla’s handling of the Todd Carney case when it was found the troubled footballer was wrongfully dismissed because he was not given a hearing before the board.

Weeks has a solid background in law and is determined to give Pearce and his legal advisors every opportunity for a proper hearing.

The delay is a major frustration for the Roosters because they will need to go shopping for another halfback if Pearce is outed for anything between 12 weeks and the remainder of the ­season.

Pearce’s decision to head overseas was fully supported by the Roosters, even though it may be more time consuming than treatment options in Australia.

No date for his return has been set.