Ex-NRL player Ben Barba charges return to Townsville

Former NRL player Ben Barba will return to Townsville in May to face public nuisance offences after a last-minute decision not to plead guilty.

Mr Barba had initially intended to plead guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning

His lawyer, Campbell MacCallum, said the charges would now be adjourned to Townsville on May 7 because he was "not satisfied" with the facts the prosecution intended to put before the court.

Former NRL player Ben Barba speaks with media outside Townsville Magistrate Court last month.Credit: AAP

The 29-year-old was charged with two counts of public nuisance following an incident at a Townsville Casino in January which cost him his lucrative deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Mr MacCallum said he would negotiate with prosecutors in Townsville before the matter could proceed.

AAP