This was published 5 years ago
Former NRL star Ben Barba pleads guilty to obstructing police
By Robyn Wuth
Disgraced NRL star Ben Barba has been ordered to perform 150 hours of community service following an incident at a Townsville casino in January that cost him his lucrative sporting career.
The 2012 Dally M medallist pleaded guilty to charges of public nuisance and obstructing police when he faced Mackay Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
The former rugby league star pleaded guilty to charges of public nuisance and obstructing police.Credit: Michele Mossop
The 29-year-old was sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys in February without playing a game over allegations he was violent towards his partner Ainslie Currie in the Australia Day incident.
Ms Currie did not press charges.
Barba had been offered a lifeline to return to the NRL with the Cowboys after stints with French rugby union and the English Super League.
However, the NRL gave the father of four a lifetime ban after viewing CCTV footage of the incident outside the casino.
AAP