Source:
www.news.com.au
Chaser man charged over prank
From: AAP
July 15, 2006
A COMEDIAN with ABC TV's The Chaser's War on Everything has been charged with offensive conduct after what senior police describe as an "act of mindless stupidity" outside a rugby league clash.
Chas Licciardello was filming a prank at last night's NRL clash in Sydney between the Bulldogs and St George-Illawarra.
Crowd violence when the two teams met earlier this year sparked a crack down on anti-social behaviour at Bulldogs games, with NSW police deploying its riot squad to all their games since.
Licciardello admits to being dressed in a Bulldogs' jersey and beanie outside the ground prior to the match at OKI Jubilee Stadium in Sydney's south.
"I was filming for our show, hawking off a Bulldogs supporters kit, it was a silly thing, it had fake knuckle dusters, balaclavas, that sort of stuff," Licciardello told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
"Most of the people took it pretty light heartedly but a couple of the supporters got a bit angry and then the police stepped in."
Licciardello said the Bulldogs supporters started taking his props and "were getting a little bit rough".
He said police were trying to diffuse the situation and move people on.
"I think they thought we might incite things, which we wouldn't have, we were just about to go anyway," Licciardello said.
The joke failed to register with Acting Deputy Commissioner Denis Clifford who said the comedian was disgraceful.
"This was clearly an act of mindless stupidity that had the potential to stir up the large crowd and cause serious problems," Mr Clifford said in a statement.
Mr Clifford told ABC radio: "This fellow will be appearing in Sutherland Court at a later date charged with offensive conduct."
"We'll see how funny he thinks all this is then.
"This sort of stuff does nothing but undermine the good work that police, the fans, club officials and the NRL have been doing in the past months and years to try to and provide a safe environment for people to go along and watch rugby league."
A police spokeswoman said Licciardello, 29, from Croydon Park would be issued with a notice to attend Sutherland Local Court at a later date charged with offensive conduct.
He was allegedly in possession of balaclavas, an imitation knife, fake knuckle-dusters and flares, which were blue and white in colour (Bulldogs colours).
Police acted after several Bulldogs fans complained about the man's behaviour.
Four people were ejected from the stadium for alcohol-related offences, while one man will be issued a future court attendance notice for using offensive language.
The record crowd of 18,223 left the ground at the conclusion of the match without incident, police said.
The Bulldogs beat St George Illawarra 22-16.
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