Fourth Brisbane Broncos player linked to alleged sex assault
September 17, 2008 12:28pm
A FOURTH Brisbane Broncos NRL star was reportedly involved in the alleged sexual assault of a 24-year-old woman in a Queensland night club, it has emerged.
Broadcaster and rugby league commentator Ray Hadley this morning told 2GB listeners a fourth player filmed the incident in the Alhambra Lounge in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.
Previously it was thought that only three players were involved.
"A fourth unnamed player filmed the incident," Hadley said. "That's when the young lady started to object."
The NRL is awaiting the outcome of a police investigation into Brisbane players Karmichael Hunt, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd.
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A sexual harassment complaint was filed against the Brisbane trio after a booze-fuelled evening in Brisbane last Saturday.
The Broncos had flown back to Brisbane earlier in the day after being denied a night out in Sydney following their Friday night finals win over Sydney Roosters.
It was revealed the three players stayed out drinking for more than six hours after a woman complained they had sexually assaulted her in the toilet of a Brisbane nightclub.
As the club continues to bunker down during one of the biggest crises in its history, the players have told Broncos management they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
Fespite the high profile of the Broncos and its players, acting police commissioner Kathy Rynders today said it would take up several weeks for the investigation to move forward.
"We will be no more pedantic with this investigation than we are with any other investigation," she said.
"As you would imagine there were a lot of people at the nightclub on the night and there is a range of certain material and forensic evidence that we're yet to gather so it will still take a number of weeks before we're in a position to make an informed decision.
"We have to await the outcome of the forensics tests and as you would be aware we will also be viewing the CCTV and other typical evidence, and depending on the outcome of that is to what other inquiries are necessary."
Ms Rynders refused to comment on whether the players had submitted DNA samples.
"I'm not going to comment on the particularities of the investigation as it is ongoing," she said.
"They have provided an interview to police. Depending on the outcome of our other inquiries they may be required to (provide another interview) but at this stage it's too early to say."
Ms Rynders said police had held talks with Broncos management.
"I'm not aware of the exact details of that conversation as I haven't had a chance to speak with the investigating officers," she said.
"We've always found the club and the management good to deal with whenever we've needed to make any inquiries."
Meanwhile, a nightclub in inner-city West End has decided to ban football players.
Uber made headlines twice this year when two NRL players - Cronulla's Greg Bird and North Queensland's Sione Faumuina - were arrested after drinking-related incidents linked to the club.
Uber bar manager Isaac Zietek told the Courier Mail newspaper that the behaviour of some high-profile footballers had become ``progressively more disrespectful over the years''.
The Daily Telegraph has learned the 24-year-old woman had been celebrating last Saturday afternoon at a hen's party before going to the trendy Alhambra Lounge.
Police are investigating claims the woman entered the male toilets at the nightclub with the players at about 8pm and engaged in various sex acts which were recorded on a mobile phone.
The woman later left the toilet and told a friend about the alleged incident. Her parents were contacted and the incident was reported to police, who established a crime scene at the venue in McLachlan Street.
The Broncos have started their own investigation and will be looking at all aspects of the bender, which started with players meeting at the Story Bridge Hotel on Saturday afternoon.
