'I've let my team and family down': Souths star Burgess sorry over vehicle damage charge
Date
June 18, 2013 - 10:51AM
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Megan Levy
Breaking news reporter
George Burgess: accused of damaging a vehicle, reports say. Photo: Anthony Johnson
South Sydney Rabbitohs player George Burgess has apologised for letting my team and my family down after he was charged with smashing a car window in Cairns this week.
The 21-year-old has been charged with two counts of wilful damage after he allegedly threw a street sign through the rear window of a vehicle following post-match celebrations in the Cairns suburb of Redlynch early on Monday morning.
I acknowledge that I am a role model for kids and I will do everything I can to restore my reputation through working harder in the community.
Burgess has been stood down from the Rabbitohs while an investigation continues, the Rabbitohs said in a statement, adding that Burgess had admitted guilt to the charges and is co-operating with police.
In a statement released by the club, Burgess apologised for his actions and said he would learn from his mistake.
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I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Rabbitohs Members, sponsors and everyone in the community, Burgess said.
I have let my team and my family down.
I acknowledge that I am a role model for kids and I will do everything I can to restore my reputation through working harder in the community.
It is my responsibility to ensure that this type of behaviour does not happen again.
I will learn from my mistake and bounce back stronger and better as a person.
The Rabbitohs defeated the Gold Coast Titans 30-24 in a match at Barlow Park in Cairns on Sunday to retain top spot on the NRL premiership ladder.
Burgess had been celebrating his teams win at Gilligans, a backpackers' hotel and entertainment venue, in central Cairns on Sunday night, several hours before the alleged offence at 2.45am on Redlynch Intake Road.
Queensland Police confirmed a 21-year-old NSW man had been charged with two counts of wilful damage following an incident in Redlynch about 2.45am on Monday.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said the man was charged with the alleged "wilful damage of a vehicle".
The 21-year-old has been bailed to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on July 10.
The Rabbitohs said in a statement that the NRL Integrity Unit had been notified of the incident on Monday morning.
"The Rabbitohs have stood Burgess down pending further investigation and are working with the NRL Integrity Unit regarding the details of the penalty to be imposed, the statement said.
Burgess made his NRL debut in 2012, and is one of four brothers who are all signed to the Rabbitohs, including his twin brother Thomas.
The charges come after a separate alleged incident on Sunday night involving Raiders player Blake Ferguson, who was stood down from the NSW Origin team and had his NRL contract suspended following allegations he indecently assaulted a woman during a drinking session with former teammate Josh Dugan.
A police statement said Ferguson, 23, had been charged with indecently assaulting a 23-year-old woman at a Cronulla nightclub at about 10.30pm on Sunday.
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