Sam Burgess lawyer accuses Phoebe Burgess, Mitch Hooke of retaliation
Sam Burgess’ lawyer says ex-partner Phoebe Burgess and her father’s police statements were “born out of malice” or “retaliation” over an unrelated legal matter.
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Sam Burgess’s lawyer has told a court leaked allegations of drug and domestic abuse made by the Rabbitohs star’s estranged wife Phoebe were “born out of malice or retaliation” for separate legal proceedings.
Solicitor Bryan Wrench made the claim at Moss Vale Local Court on Wednesday while representing Burgess on charges of assault and intimidation of Phoebe’s father Mitch Hooke.
The retired Souths captain has pleaded not guilty to intimidation and indicated a not guilty plea to the assault charge. Police charged Burgess after an argument at the Hooke family’s Bowral property on October 19, 2019.
Burgess was visiting his two children and was asked to leave by his father-in-law.
Last Wednesday Phoebe Burgess handed a 50-page affidavit to police at Southern Highlands station alleging her ex-husband had drug benders and was domestically violent.
Burgess has denied the allegations, which were published in The Australian newspaper.
Yesterday Mr Wrench told the court Burgess had attended a separate court on September 24 on an unrelated matter and “filed something”, which he said prompted “retaliation”.
“Six days later she made a 50-page statement to police. It has been given to The Australian newspaper,” he said.
“Our position is quite bluntly … It appears this is born out of malice or retaliation. Orchestrated propaganda. We categorically deny those allegations.”
Mr Wrench said he had not seen the leaked affidavit and would be filing an application for contempt of court.
“That statement has not been filed. We only discovered this by way of publication. Six or seven times there is a reference to that statement,” he said. “(We ask) police to disclose any witnesses of proceedings.”
Asked by Magistrate Ian Cheetham who was in contempt, Mr Wrench replied: “Ms Phoebe Burgess or Mitchell Hooke.”
Burgess did not attend Wednesday’s hearing at which the matters were adjourned.
NSW Police and the NRL have launched investigations in the wake of the affidavit.