Ex-league star faces Southport Magistrates Court on driving charge

A rugby league star – once described as the best to have never made it to the NRL – has appeared in court. Find out what happened.

A talented ex-rugby league player has learnt the hard way not to use his phone while driving after he racked up 12 demerit points in two months.

Kingi Akauola, 34, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to one charge of driving without a licence.

The court was told the Southport man had his licence suspended after he was charged twice with using his mobile phone while driving.

Kingi Akauola leaves Southport Courthouse.

Police caught Akauola driving with a suspended licence on September 5 at Ormeau Hills.

The barber told police he was driving to work and didn’t realise he was suspended.

Magistrate Mark Bamberry said the 34-year-old’s biggest problem was his phone.

“You keep using your phone while you’re driving around. Each time you get done that’s a $1033 fine but also four demerit points,” Magistrate Bamberry said.

Kingi Akauola during his time at the Wests Tigers.

The former league player was charged with using his phone while driving on February 6, then again on April 17, the court was told.

“Because you were charged twice within a 12 month period, there’s a further four demerits,” Magistrate Bamberry said.

“You’ve lost 12 points just in that two-month period.

“You only have 12 points to lose in three years ordinarily.”

Akauola was fined $250 for the driving without a licence charge.

Kingi Akauola during his league days.

Once on the cusp of NRL stardom, Akauola played in the Gold Coast Titans under-20s team and spent time at the Wests Tigers in Sydney.

He also played in the state’s top rugby league competition, the Queensland Cup, for the Tweed Seagulls before joining Runaway Bay’s A Grade team.

Former Keebra Park State High School senior coach Glen Campbell has witnessed some of the nations top rugby league talents come through the school’s league nursery and once labelled Akauola as the best to have never made it to the NRL.