Former NRL great Paul Mares to appeal convictions over foul-mouthed rant at country cop

Former Parramatta Eels great Paul Mares will fight to have his record cleared over an expletive-laden tirade at a country cop he accused of having an affair with his ex.

Former Parramatta Eels great Paul Mares will fight to have his record cleared over an expletive-laden tirade at a country cop.

The 1980s footy star is seeking to overturn his convictions for a spray at police officer he accused of having an affair with his ex-partner.

On Wednesday, Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court heard he is appealing them on mental health grounds.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty last November to driving a motor vehicle with menace and refusing to submit to an oral test over a bizarre country roadside incident.

Mares yelled at the cop: “You f*****g stuck your dick in someone”

According to a 17-minute video obtained by the Saturday Telegraph and previously tendered to court, a routine roadside stop quickly descended into a foul-mouthed meltdown.

Mares was heard telling the police officer: “You can f*****g tell me who you f*****g are, you’re f*****g name and who you represent”.

Then, Mares agreed to do a roadside alcohol breath test but drove off once the cop asked him to do a drug test, leaving the officer yelling: “Paul!”.

As the confrontation continued, Mares said: “You wanna play f*****g games Graham — you pull me up every time you see me”.

Police bodycam footage recorded the incident.

“You f*****g listen to me you know a … called Becky? Because you’re going there.”

After several minutes of the men going back and forth about who should move their cars, Mares swabbed a drug test before throwing it back at the officer.

“Sorry mate you dropped that … you’re the one playing the games here Graham,” Mares is heard saying, to which the cop said: Why are you being like this Paul?”

Mares responded: “You f*****g stuck your dick in someone … I couldn’t give a f**k ... But you made your decision on that night of that thing so you can go and f**k yourself.”

At Downing Centre Local Court on February 22, Mares was fined $500 for refusing the oral test and fined $700 for driving with menace.

Mares in the 1983 NRL grand final.

On Wednesday, Judge Mark Williams SC adjourned the conviction appeal to November 9 to allow the parties more time to gather relevant documents.

Mares’ lawyer told the court he will apply for the convictions to be dealt with under section 14 of the Mental Health Act.

Section 14 allows a person who is charged with a criminal or traffic offence and suffers from a mental health impairment or cognitive impairment to avoid a criminal record.

In 1983, Mares was part of the Eels team which won its third consecutive premiership, defeating Manly-Warringah in the grand final.

He then played in the 1984 grand final loss to Canterbury before struggling with injuries over the next couple of seasons and missed out on being selected in Parramatta’s 1986 premiership winning team.