Cooper Vuna admits driving offences

[Pumba]

Former Warrior admits driving offences

Former New Zealand Warriors winger Cooper Vuna's National Rugby League career with the Newcastle Knights is in limbo after he admitted driving offences.

Aucklander Vuna, 22, pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court yesterday on charges of driving while suspended and driving an unregistered vehicle on June 17, the Newcastle Herald newspaper reported.

He will be sentenced in September after completing a traffic offenders programme.

Other charges including driving an uninsured vehicle were adjourned until September 28, six days before the NRL grand final.

That would rule Vuna out of contention for any more Knights matches this year, as the club's disciplinary committee ruled he would not play in the NRL until after his court matters were settled.

The club is yet to decide what action it will take against Vuna, who is contracted until the end of next year.

Vuna, who played for Tonga at last year's World Cup, has been playing for the Knights' feeder club the Cessnock Goannas in recent weeks.

The former Otahuhu junior made his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2004 and joined the Knights for the 2007 season.

He played 19 NRL games last year but has only made one appearance in 2009 after a knee injury disrupted his pre-season.

Vuna's barrister, Andrew Bright, yesterday entered pleas of guilty to driving while suspended and driving an unregistered vehicle.

He entered a plea of not guilty to a second count of driving while suspended, on June 10, which will be heard on August 26.

A police statement said Vuna was caught driving while suspended on Maitland Road on June 17. He told police he was driving to football training.

Police knew Vuna was a suspended driver because they had issued him with a court attendance notice for the same offence on June 10, the statement said.

The Roads and Traffic Authority suspended Vuna's licence on November 27 because of outstanding fines, the statement said.

Three references and an email to Knights coach Brian Smith were tendered to the court, the Newcastle Herald reported.

The references spoke in glowing terms about Vuna's involvement with his church, club and disadvantaged children.

Stuff NZ

If the Knights stick to their guns, as the article says. Season Over.

 

[Spike]

At least he didn't sh*t in a hotel corridor

 

[Jono078]

Well that's a shame.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Poor form from Cooper to put himself in this position in the 1st place but I cant help but feel a little sorry for him. Major injury in the preseason, 1 game back in the NRL then BAM season over.

I really hope he gutses it out and comes back better for it next season. Would be a real shame to lose a talent like him

 

[Alex28]

Will be interesting to see what the club does...he's admitted guilt for one part - and I would have thought that given he is attending the traffic offenders programme and he's admitted his guilt to the court we sort out whatever penalty the club gives him now so we can all move forward.

However there is another matter which he is pleading not guilty...so technically we should keep him suspended until late August when that case is heard...

Shame really...

 

[Karmawave]

At least he didn't sh*t in a hotel corridor

Last I knew sh*tting in a hotel corridor didn't have the potential to kill someone ( as gross as it is ).

Neither does driving while suspended, but the stuff that led to being suspended does.

 

[antonius]

Last I knew sh*tting in a hotel corridor didn't have the potential to kill someone ( as gross as it is ).

Neither does driving while suspended, but the stuff that led to being suspended does.

Unpaid parking fines?, yep that'll kill someone! Unregistered Vehicle? well yes maybe.

 

[Karmawave]

Unpaid parking fines?, yep that'll kill someone!

Is that all it was?

My mistake. For some reason I was thinking it was speeding offences. Mixing it up with Wes maybe? :lol:

I stand corrected.

 

[antonius]

Is that all it was?

My mistake. For some reason I was thinking it was speeding offences. Mixing it up with Wes maybe? :lol:

I stand corrected.

It's certainly costing Vuna, I would imagine he's not getting paid whilst stood down. If that's the case he won't get any more pay this season if he doesn't front court again until Septemebr. Maybe the club will soften that after he meets the clubs diciplinary commitee tomorrow. Todays paper (Newcastle Herald, sorry can't get a link to story) is saying the commitee may relent and allow him to play, that's the reason they are meeting said Steve Burraston.

 

[cram]

From my experience in the Court if he is doing the traffic offenders program and he does a good job with attendance and participation it is likely he may get a more leniant sentence.

Now if they ask for a Pre Sentence Report, well that's not necessarily good.... lol

 

[perverse]

rofl... gotta watch out for those rogue killer unpaid parking fines. they bite, you know.

sorry... i just found that hilarious... hahaha...

 

[Newie is God's Country]

I for one have no idea how you deal with these situations. I am a believer in that the punishment should fit the crime. Coops is clearly a bit immature and with time that will change. The judge I am sure will see that to be the case.

 

[Big Tim]

So why should he sit out until sentencing?

What if his sentence is 5 hours of community service? He would have lost a whole season because the courts are backed up and cant process him...... If I am wrong about this then fine, but it seems a little over the top to sit out a season waiting on the courts.

 

[cram]

So why should he sit out until sentencing?

What if his sentence is 5 hours of community service? He would have lost a whole season because the courts are backed up and cant process him...... If I am wrong about this then fine, but it seems a little over the top to sit out a season waiting on the courts.

How long is he out injured? Can he still play local league if he was not injured?

The traffic offenders program is generally reserved for offenders who are likely to be considered for a sentence that is somewhat less then the normal.

A number of factors are usually taken into consideration, including an early guilty plea, which results in a discount in sentencing anyway and generally their traffic record is not likely to result in them being sentenced to prison or alternatives to prison, such as Community Service, Periodic Detention and of course Home Detention.

Of course they need to attend all sessions, participate well and then they need to submit a portfolio of work which is reviewed by the course coordinator and also by the Magistrate prior to sentencing.

Whilst no promises are made about sentencing it is considered that successful completion will result in a discounted sentence.

 

[Alex28]

Isn't something like this a breach of his contract or something? I mean I agree that a lengthy suspension would be a tad harsh, but I also agree that the club has a responsibility to ensure that the players act in a way that does not bring any negativity towards the club, and that if the players do not act that way then there should be some form of punishment internally (as well as what he gets outside of the club).

 

[antonius]

Well going on the story yesterday in the Herald It seems the club are starting to think he has been punished enough by them. Interesting to see what comes of the meeting today. I'd say he would be out of pocket considerably as it is.

 

[Pika]

I am hearing mixed reports about his shoulder.

Anythuing from two more weeks to the season.......