Wes Patten jailed over assault and attempted cover up

Wes Patten was one of the most exciting players in the NRL. Today, he wakes up in a jail cell. Find out why here.

In his days as an NRL star, Wes Patten was one of the most exciting players in the game.

But today he wakes up in a jail cell.

The 48-year-old burst onto the scene as a freakish talent with a lightning quick step for the Balmain Tigers in 1993, was sentenced to almost two years in jail last week over a domestic violence incident which he then attempted to cover up.

Patten, the cousin of fellow NRL alumni turned boxer Anthony Mundine, pleaded not guilty to the charges and has lodged an appeal against his conviction.

According to documents tendered to the Downing Centre Local Court, Patten assaulted Bianca Collis in a domestic violence related attack in the vicinity of the Sydney University grounds between 2am and 3am on July 13, 2019.

Ex NRL player Wes Patten runs from the downing centre today. he is facing trial over an armed robbery.

The attack resulted in Ms Collis suffering “actual bodily harm”, the documents said.

Patten was arrested by police shortly after the attack and was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another of common assault.

The court heard Patten then doubled down and tried to convince Ms Collis to give false evidence in court.

He was arrested again on August 5, 2020, and charged with one count of acting with intent to influence a witness.

The documents said Patten “approached and contacted” Ms Collis and attempted to convince her to give false evidence in the case against him.

Police originally accused the ex NRL star of intimidating and attempting to coerce Ms Collis into giving false evidence, but the wording was amended on the charge in March.

Wes Patten outside the Downing Centre.

Patten has been taken into custody and have since lodged an appeal.

The offence resulted in his jail term being more than doubled.

On June 17 Magistrate Glenn Bartley sentenced Patten to a maximum 20 months jail for attempting to influence a witness.

Patten was taken into custody and his lawyers have since lodged an appeal against the conviction.

Mr Bartley sentenced the ex footballer to eight months jail for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge and four months for the common assault offence.

Patten will be eligible for parole on November 23, 2023.

Wes Patten playing for the Sydney Tigers at the Winfield Cup in 1995. Picture: Col Whelan

During his time in the NRL, Patten was one of the most exciting talents in the game and possessed a similar playing style to subsequent rugby league superstars like Preston Campbell and Benji Marshall.

He debuted for the Balmain Tigers in 1993 and spent three years at the club where he played on the wing and at halfback before he transferred to the Gold Coast Chargers.

Despite his diminutive size, Patten was lightning quick and was one of the most elusive players in the game with highlight reels of his talents still featuring on YouTube.

He retired in 2000 following seasons with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons.

Post playing, he worked as a sideline host for the Barefoot Rugby League Show on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and appeared as an extra on Home And Away.