Court: Richmond star Noah Balta to plead guilty to Mulwala pub assault
Richmond premiership star and swingman Noah Balta will plead guilty to assault following an incident at a Mulwala pub just before the new year, a court has heard.
Goulburn Valley
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Tigers premiership defender Noah Balta will plead guilty to assault following a late-night incident at a Mulwala pub late last year, a court has heard.
The Richmond premiership star was represented by his lawyer in the Corowa Local Court on January 30 after he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
NSW police said Balta assaulted 27-year-old man Thomas Washbrook at a Mulwala sports club at 12.30am on December 30.
His lawyer told the court he would be entering a plea of guilty.
The alleged victim was taken to nearby Yarrawonga Hospital with a laceration to his head.
It is understood the alleged assault occurred at the Mulwala Water Ski Club.
No specific details were aired in the administrative court hearing and Balta did not appear in court.
He was charged by NSW police on December 31.
The Tigers swingman was suspended by Richmond for four matches in the aftermath of his arrest by police.
Earlier this month Richmond chief executive Shane Dunne said, in a statement, “Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident”.
“He has assisted the NSW Police in their investigation and he is keen to have the matter concluded as soon as possible,” he said at the time.
“While the outcome of the investigation and the charge will be a matter for the police and the courts both Noah and the club accept that players can’t put themselves in these situations.
“After thorough consideration – which included discussions with the player leadership group – we arrived at a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident and at the same time will help Noah address this behaviour.
“The club will continue to support him through this period and our collective hope, and expectation, is that we will see the best of Noah on and off the field from this point on.”
The key defender, who can play up forward, signed a long-term deal in the off-season to keep him at Punt Rd until 2032.
Balta, who has played more than 100 games for the Tigers since debuting in 2019, will next face court on March 27.
His bail was extended by Magistrate Melissa Humphrey.
It is not the first time in recent years a Richmond premiership player has faced criminal charges.
Marlion Pickett, who retired last year, was charged over a string of alleged burglaries in which more than $380,000 was stolen from safes in 2022 and 2023.
The 33-year-old faces 12 charges, including four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of stealing and three counts of criminal damage.
It is understood his lawyer entered pleas of not guilty to all charges on his behalf in August last year.
The matter is before the District Court of Western Australia, with a trial listed for later this year.
Pickett played alongside Balta in Richmond’s 2020 flag side at the Gabba, where they defeated Geelong to win their third premiership in four years.
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