Broncos star Payne Haas avoids conviction for vulgar attack on police during drunken outburst

The NRL’s chief gender adviser has weighed into the debate after Brisbane Broncos Test prop Payne Haas escaped conviction following his drunken outburst to police.

4th February 2021 – Payne Haas fronts Tweed Heads Court flanked by his legal team, a BRISBANE BRONCOS minder and his girlfriend Photo: Scott Powick NEWSCORP

The NRL’s chief gender advisor has called for cultural understanding and not a suspension for young Brisbane Broncos Test prop Payne Haas who showed genuine remorse after an expletive-riddled showdown with police in January.

Court documents revealed the Broncos star who earns $500,000-a-season told a female officer:
“Cause you’re a woman you think I won’t touch ya’.”

Haas also told the police that he would “take youse all on myself” and dared them to taser him.

Haas pleaded guilty in Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday to two counts of intimidating police during a confrontation at Jack Evans Boat Harbour on January 16 while he was with his pregnant partner Leilani Mohenoa.

The 21-year-old was given a two-year good behaviour order but no conviction was recorded.

Lawyer Dave Garratt said Haas was “completely shattered, extremely embarrassed and extremely remorseful” and appealed to the magistrate not to impose a conviction.

Mr Garrett also revealed Haas had a “quite traumatic upbringing”, having been exposed to domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse, and both his parents had spent time in jail.

“Rugby league has been his saviour,” Mr Garratt told the court.

Brisbane Broncos forward Payne Haas and his girlfriend Leilani Mohenoa arrive at Tweed court. Picture: Steve Holland

Mr Garratt said COVID-19 meant Haas and his family had not been able to properly grieve the loss of his brother Chace, who died last year.

Mr Garratt also said Haas was facing significant sanctions and would be given a “higher penalty” by the Broncos and NRL Integrity Unit if convicted.

Haas “hardly drinks at all” but had a couple of drinks on the night and “reacted with poor behaviour” towards police, Mr Garratt said.

The NRL is not expected to decide if Haas will face a further sanction until next week but chief gender advisor for the NRL Catharine Lumby does not believe a match suspension is warranted.

“No I don’t,” Ms Lumby said.

Catharine Lumby has called for cultural understanding in the Haas case.

“Not on the court account. And I think it is clear that the police accepted the apology.

“I think that a good behaviour bond is totally appropriate because clearly he showed genuine remorse and of his own volition apologised to the police.

“What was said was clearly out of character and I believe in second chances.

“I think (being) taken to court and having to confront his behaviour and to apologise is sanction enough.”

Ms Lumby said cultural understanding was also important.

“While it is clear I am not suggesting that the majority of police are racist, it is true that people from some cultural backgrounds have sometimes had a history of distrust of the police which involves members of their family and their community and it can influence the way that they respond to police authority.

“I am certainly not suggesting that this was racially motivated in any way, or that the majority of police in Australia are racist.

“But there is a history in some communities of having multiple adverse encounters with police and they may respond different to police authority than someone from an Anglo background. I do think that we need to be aware of that.

“The guy obviously felt really, really bad about it. I reckon nothing further should happen and I just applaud him for showing genuine remorse and apologising.”

A statement of police facts tendered to the court revealed that when asked for ID by Senior-Constable Anthony Attard, Haas became aggressive on the night.

Haas has escaped with a good behaviour bond after his court appearance.

“F. k the ID,” he told the officer.

“I don’t need to give you ID.”

Police again tried to reason with Haas but he responded: “You got a badge on and you think you’re a tough f. ing c … t’.

“Let’s get the f. k out of here. Just taser me you dumb c. t.”

Haas showed genuine remorse for intimidating police.

When Sen Const Attard said he wasn’t tasering anyone, Haas ranted: “Don’t come near me bro, I’ll f … ing jab ya, on my mother’s life I will.”

As police and Haas approached the water’s edge, Haas said: “Get the f. k out of my face or I’ll take youse all on myself, you f … wits.”

When police warned him about his language, Haas again let fly.

“Oh, f. k off, suck my d. k. I’ll f … en take youse all out, you’re f … wits.”

Haas then accused Constable Brittany Griffiths of looking at him.

“Why you looking at me like that?” he challenged her.

“Cause you’re a woman you think I won’t touch ya?”

Police said Haas continued to be argumentative but ‘calmed down’ down after he was taken to the watch-house and apologised.

The police facts said Haas earned $550,000-a-season, was paying a $3000-a-month mortgage and his partner was 20 weeks’ pregnant.

In a statement, issued following the court appearance, Haas said he took “full responsibility for what happened” and was “extremely sorry” for his actions.

“I have gone to see the police officers involved and offered them a full apology for my conduct, as well as spending time with police going through what I did,” he said.

“I had been drinking and the words I used and the way I acted were totally unacceptable. I’d like to thank the police for taking the time to see me, and accepting my apology.

“I did the wrong thing and let myself down as well as my family and the Club – but most importantly, I acted in way that showed disrespect to the police, and I am really sorry for that.

“I will learn from this incident and I will be a better person in the future.”

Haas pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidating police, while a charge of using offensive language was dropped.

Originally published as Broncos star Payne Haas avoids conviction for vulgar attack on police during drunken outburst