Greg Bird allegedly blames Brent Watson for glassing Katie Milligan
By Steve Gee
August 25, 2008 03:30pm
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24237719-5001021,00.html
CRONULLA star Greg Bird telephoned a friend and asked him how he felt about taking the blame for him, after he allegedly glassed his girlfriend in the face during an argument.
Bird, 24, who faced Sutherland Local Court today, charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm allegedly told police his flat mate and friend of a decade, Brent Watson, was to blame for the assault on his girlfriend Kathryn Milligan.
But after receiving six missed phone calls and two text messages urging him not to speak with police, Watson eventually came clean.
As the Shark's star was granted conditional bail, details of how he allegedly lied to police and tried to coerce his friend in to taking the blame over the attack on Ms Milligan were revealed.
Ms Milligan, a US student, who has been living with Bird since July, suffered a fractured eye socket and lacerated left eye after Bird allegedly smashed a glass in her face during an argument at his Cronulla unit on Sunday morning.
The court was told Bird and Ms Milligan initially told police Watson was responsible for the alleged atack.
Bird allegedly put Watson in contact with a solicitor who told him: "We don't want this matter getting in to the media".
However, Watson later attended Miranda Police station where he gave a statement, absolving himself of any involvement.
According to a statement of facts, Bird allegedly sent a text message to Watson while he was being interviewed, telling him: "My manager is helping us sort this s*** out".
The court was told Watson had left the Cronulla unit to attend a golf competition at Bankstown early on Sunday morning where he received a frantic phone call from Bird asking for his help.
"Something has happened to Katie. it was an accident," Bird said in the phone call.
"There is blood everywhere in the unit. We have told police it's you. How do you feel about that?"
The revelations of Bird's attempt to allegedly blame his best friend come as he was
stood down by the NRL Cronulla Sharks club over the incident. More details here.
Bird, a NSW Origin and Kangaroos representative player, today faced a charge of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Ms Milligan, who was due to undergo surgery for glass wounds to her eye.
Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital said Ms Milligan had sought absolute privacy and it was unable to comment on her condition.
Bird, 24, was granted bail by Magistrate Bev Schurr, who ordered he comply with the conditions of an interim apprehended violence order (AVO) issued yesterday.
Under the terms of the order, Bird must not make contact with Ms Milligan or any neighbours who may have heard the alleged attack or witnessed the pair leaving their unit.
Bird spent the night in custody after being refused bail by police, and was released just before 2pm (AEST) today after an "acceptable person" posted a $5,000 surety.
Prosecutor Acting Sergeant Matt Zalunardo told the court Bird lied to police by alleging other people were in the apartment at the time of the incident, about 7.30am (AEST) yesterday.
"The accused person ... is actively trying to deceive police by inferring other people were involved in the matter," Sergeant Zalunardo said.
He said it appeared Bird was trying to "pin the offence" on someone else.
Sgt Zalunardo said Mr Watson was at Bankstown golf course by 7.15am (AEST) on the day of the alleged assault.
He also said a neighbour who recognised Bird's voice noted no other male voice in the unit at the time.
He added that a neighbour looked in Bird's unit and saw it was vacant after Bird and Ms Milligan left for the hospital.
Police allege that as the pair left the apartment block, Bird told Ms Milligan to "stop being a f king idiot", and denied attacking her.
Bird's lawyer Les Nicholls challenged the police facts, saying their informant was not in court and the alleged victim had yet to give a statement.
"The facts that are before Your Honour are circumstantial," Mr Nicholls said.
He told the court he was twice refused access to the hand-written notes of police who attended the alleged incident, and added Bird was not a flight risk and had ties to the community.
"If there is any breach of bail, he could be spending a long time in custody," Ms Schurr said.
Bird and his lawyer left the court without commenting to the waiting media, and got into a car driven by his manager, Gavin Orr.
The matter was adjourned for mention in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on October 8 - two days after the NRL grand final.
Do you know Greg Bird and Kate Milligan? Call us in confidence on 02 9288 3413.
