A 46-year-old Watermans Bay man has faced court over allegations he strangled an 11-year-old player at a children’s soccer match last month.
Steven James Naoum spoke only to acknowledge that he understood the charges at Joondalup Magistrates Court, where it was revealed the incident occurred in front of 20 other children.
Steven James Naoum, 46, outside Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday.Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt
Prosecutors allege Naoum was at a junior soccer game at Abbeville Park in Mindarie on May 25 when he approached an 11-year-old boy during a game between Mindarie FC and Whitford City FC.
It was alleged a “physical altercation occurred”, resulting in Naoum being charged with impeding another person’s breathing or circulation by applying pressure to the neck.
The court was told the boy was not injured and didn’t require medical treatment.
At the time, Whitford City FC said the man was immediately banned from all club activities pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
“The club is cooperating fully with the authorities,” it said in a statement.
“We take matters of this nature extremely seriously, and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all players, families, and volunteers.”
Mindarie FC club president Lee Hughes also said at the time the club’s first priority was the child and family’s wellbeing, and it would cooperate with authorities and Whitford City FC.
On Friday, police prosecutors asked the magistrate for a six-week adjournment of the matter.
Naoum will be back before the court on July 25.
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