Jason Smith charged cocaine trafficking

[Timmah]

Full Titans statement now on LeagueUnlimited.com --> http://leagueunlimited.com/news/25628-statement-advice-from-legal-counsel/

 

[Captain Apollo]

Following is from the Titan's website -

Advice from Senior Counsel


Tue 17th March, 01:24PM

The Gold Coast Titans Board has today received legal advice from Senior Counsel in relation to the five (5) Titans players currently stood down from playing and training duties (i.e. Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Kalifa Faifai Loa & Jamie Dowling).

The Board decided last week to seek the highest level independent legal advice available to ensure all possible options were properly considered before making a decision on the immediate playing future of the charged players.

To this end, the Board engaged the services of eminent Sydney silk, Tony Bannon SC, who has now confirmed he has considered all relevant information available including police reports, individual player contracts, the NRL Rules and code of conduct. Mr Bannon has also ensured all relevant legal obligations binding the club and its employees (i.e. the players) have been properly and legally evaluated.

In his comprehensive formal advice Mr Bannon concludes that given the circumstances and alternatives the better course is for the club to “stay its hand on disciplinary action until the criminal proceedings have been determined”. On the basis of this advice the Board has resolved to allow the charged players to return to playing and training duties pending the outcome of the legal process.

In accepting the legal advice in relation to the specific circumstances of these charges, the Board reaffirms its determination to continue to take strong action as and when required to protect and enhance the reputation of the Gold Coast Titans in the eyes of the community and the sporting world generally.

Should any of the current allegations ultimately be proven in the courts, in assessing any subsequent disciplinary action the Board will be mindful of the serious reputational and financial damage the club has already suffered.

Source - http://www.titans.com.au/news/2015/03/17/advice_from_senior_c.html

 

[ek999]

As it should be. They deserve the presumption of innocence. I would stand them down from any promotional activities until after their court cases have finished

 

[wittyfan]

I'd say the players will now try and delay any conclusion to legal proceedings until around October.

 

[Perth Red]

Probably sensible but hardly a great look for the game, again. Wonder if this will make it easier for Titans to find a sponsor? lol

Sets an interesting precedent, generally charged with an criminal offence meant sitting out, this changes that. Wonder what happen if it was a more serious charge?

 

[BunniesMan]

So they have the presumption of innocence in round 3. But not round 1 and 2? Making it up as they go along.

Probably sensible but hardly a great look for the game, again. Wonder if this will make it easier for Titans to find a sponsor? lol

Sets an interesting precedent, generally charged with an criminal offence meant sitting out, this changes that. Wonder what happen if it was a more serious charge?

Drug supply is serious.

 

[no name]

Probably sensible but hardly a great look for the game, again. Wonder if this will make it easier for Titans to find a sponsor? lol

Sets an interesting precedent, generally charged with an criminal offence meant sitting out, this changes that. Wonder what happen if it was a more serious charge?

Since when?

 

[Snappy]

So they have the presumption of innocence in round 3. But not round 1 and 2? Making it up as they go along.


Drug supply is serious.

So is bashing a woman but your club let a bloke play all year, AFTER HE ADMITTED GUILT

 

[whall15]

Good decision, the presumption of innocence is an incredibly important part of Western society and anyone alleged of a crime deserves it.

 

[BunniesMan]

Good decision, the presumption of innocence is an incredibly important part of Western society and anyone alleged of a crime deserves it.

ffs. The presumption of innocence is a legal principle. It is only a right in a court of law. Your employer does not owe you the presumption of innocence.

 

[Sydney Knight]

Seems like people are better off breaking the law and dragging the case out. If you do something stupid like pissing in your own mouth you get dealt with immediately.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Seems like people are better off breaking the law and dragging the case out. If you do something stupid like pissing in your own mouth you get dealt with immediately.

Well I'm sure if they had photos of them dealing then even if they pleaded not guilty, they wouldn't be playing.

 

[no name]

Seems like people are better off breaking the law and dragging the case out. If you do something stupid like pissing in your own mouth you get dealt with immediately.

How is anyone supposed to know that they have broken the law?
How do you know?

 

[Lambretta]

Judging by the number of replies in this thread.................





By all accounts the Police case is flimsier than negligee at the sexpo, so I reckon its a good thing.

I'm glad the Titans grew a pair.

 

[Noname36]

They pleaded innocent so I don't see how there can be an issue with them playing at the moment. From what I've heard they're getting more flack from Titans fans than anyone else for this decision.

 

[BadSport]

Annesley has been making an art form of self-flagellation In this matter.

 

[T.S Quint]

Drug supply is serious.

He said a "more serious" charge. There are more serious crimes than drug dealing.

 

[whall15]

ffs. The presumption of innocence is a legal principle. It is only a right in a court of law. Your employer does not owe you the presumption of innocence.

They don't but I believe that they should do and I'm glad that the NRL as a public organisation is taking the moral high ground.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

ffs. The presumption of innocence is a legal principle. It is only a right in a court of law. Your employer does not owe you the presumption of innocence.

No they don't but they are in the firing line for a lot of labour laws if they do the wrong thing while you are in their employment, includin how you dismiss them...they would have to prove a number of things and rightful dismissal to deny you the right to employnment. So in principle they are as much bound by the presumption of innocence as we all are, if not more so, until the legal process is completed.

The self-righteous and know-it-all 'ffs' preceding your comment makes your post an irritation rather than an ok point for discussion...no wonder you get dished up some s*** on here

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...291452287?nk=d757b956bb2c7306059791fa08ecce8a

More Gold Coast Suns and Titans players facing threat of cocaine charges

JEREMY PIERCE
The Courier-Mail
April 05, 2015 12:00AM

UP TO six more Gold Coast football identities are in the crosshairs in Queensland sport’s cocaine crisis as the drugs investigation deepens.

The Sunday Mail understands Gold Coast Suns, Titans and former players remain part of a Crime and Corruption Commission probe which has so far seen nine elite footballers face cocaine charges.

Code-hopping superstar Karmichael Hunt, who has already pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing cocaine, is expected to be called as a witness when the case against alleged cartel kingpin John Touma returns to court.

That could drag others in to the case as two of Hunt’s offences occurred on the dates of end-of-season functions for the Gold Coast Suns AFL club.

His first offence, buying 3.5 grams of cocaine for $1100, occurred on the day of the Suns’ Mad Monday celebrations, while another happened on a golf trip to the Sunshine Coast with teammates.

Other past and current Titans NRL players could face fresh charges within weeks.

A spokesman for the CCC confirmed the investigation was still ongoing, but could not comment on the likelihood of more charges.

“There are a number of related matters currently before the courts and, on that basis, the CCC is unable to comment further,” he said.

Already five current Titans and three former players are facing cocaine charges.

Seven of them are due back in court in May, when they intend to defend the charges.

The Sunday Mail can also *reveal details of how the multi-million dollar cocaine cartel unravelled.

On December 10 last year, Queenslander Grant Richard Baverstock was intercepted by NSW police in Coffs Harbour, driving a car allegedly loaded with more than 1kg of cocaine bound for the Gold Coast.

Galaxy tablet

The CCC, which has been investigating the syndicate for more than a year, will allege Baverstock was working with Touma to arrange the cocaine’s transport to the Glitter Strip and served as the delivery driver. He was charged with supplying a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited drug.

Touma and another man, Peter Ierhias Kassiotes, were charged with cocaine trafficking a week later.

Former State of Origin stars Matt Seers and Jason Smith were charged with trafficking just weeks later.

Baverstock faces court in Coffs Harbour in May. Touma and his former Sydney Roosters teammate John Tobin are due in Southport Magistrates Court later this year.