Olympic rower Simon Burgess avoids assault charge in Hobart court
Three-time Olympian rower Simon Burgess has again avoided jail time in a Hobart court on Tuesday. The latest from court.
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Three-time Olympic rower Simon Burgess has again avoided jail time after a charge dating back to September last year was dismissed in a Hobart court on Tuesday.
Simon Peter Burgess, 57, did not appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court for the single charge of common assault, which was set for hearing.
Court documents state the assault charge relates to an incident between Mr Burgess and another man in September last year, where Burgess is accused of “grabbing and pushing” the man.
Magistrate Jackie Hartnett expressed her displeasure with Mr Burgess’ no-show in court, stating it was “not for either party to decide whether they appear”.
He had previously been bailed to appear for the matter.
However, prosecution during the hearing tendered no evidence for the charge, resulting in Magistrate Hartnett dismissing the complaint and relieving Mr Burgess’ bail.
Mr Burgess is currently serving a suspended sentence after he was convicted of one count of assault, three counts of breaching a family violence order and one count of damaging property in October last year.
Burgess entered his ex-wife’s home, violating a family violence order, before he straddled the woman on her bed and slapped her to the head eight times.
He was sentenced to 90 days’ prison, 83 days of which were suspended for 18 months, provided he does not commit any further offences punishable by prison.
Mr Burgess was selected to represent Australia at world rowing at Lake Barrington in 1990, winning a bronze medal in the quad scull, before going on to win two gold medals at the meet in 1991 and 1997.
He won two Olympic silver medals from three appearances – at Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, and Athens in 2004.
He was also named the Tasmanian Institute of Sport’s Athlete of the Year three times, in 1997, 1999 and 2000.
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