Former NRL star Joel Romelo keeps licence after being busted drug driving

A TROUBLED former NRL hooker has been allowed to keep his licence so he can continue with his rehab after being busted drug driving.

Troubled former NRL hooker Joel Romelo leaves the Darwin Local Court after pleading guilty to drug driving. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

• Joel Romelo jailed after spate of meth-fuelled crimes
• Former NRL player Joel Romelo faces potential jail time over police pursuits and brutal attack on former partner
• Joel Romelo pleads guilty to violent attack on former partner, two high speed chases in stolen cars

TROUBLED former NRL hooker Joel Romelo has been allowed to keep his licence so he can continue with his rehab after being busted drug driving.

Romelo was handed a $500 fine and a three-month suspended jail sentence yesterday after pleading guilty in the Darwin Local Court to drug driving while disqualified and not wearing a seatbelt.

Judge Alan Woodcock said he would decline to disqualify Romelo from driving again because it “would affect your rehab”.

“My main concern was that you didn’t appear to be taking your rehab seriously,” he said.

“I’m satisfied that you are now, good on you, keep doing it, you’re doing the right thing.”

MORE NT COURT NEWS

Allegations against Whittens ‘unclear’ in case of death of Inpex worker Carl Delaney, court hears

Young girl raped in sex offender’s home after being returned to scene of earlier abuse

‘Family friendly’ tavern planned for Muirhead gets green light after liquor commission overrules objectors

Romelo was already serving a partially suspended sentence after pleading guilty in 2019 to recklessly endangering serious harm after he broke his ex-girlfriend’s eye socket.

At the time, the court heard the woman was planning to leave Darwin after breaking off her relationship with the former Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs player.

She had tried to lock Romelo out of her apartment following an argument and an exchange of heated text messages, only for Romelo to let himself in and take her phone.

Romelo pushed the woman to the floor and punched her to the ribs before grabbing her by the hair and again throwing her to the floor.

NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month

He then put his arms around her and strangled her until she became dizzy and feared she would lose consciousness.

Follow @jas_walls