Knight Russell Packer jailed for two years

[ek999]

I don't know shit about jail and bail and all those things. When someone is not out on bail does that mean they are sitting in a cell in a cop shop somewhere?

No, they're in a jail. In Packer's case he is in Cessnock jail. He is also in isolation because they are worried the other prisoners may target him.

This is an article with him talking about the other guy throwing the first punch

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2057577/he-hit-me-first-russell-packer-tells-court/?cs=303

 

[Snappy]

Packer now claiming he was punched first.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2014/01/30/17/16/nrl-player-refused-bail-pending-appeal

Sacked NRL player Russell Packer has been refused bail, after a court heard he may seek to withdraw his guilty plea over a drunken assault which has seen him jailed for two years.

The Newcastle recruit was left stunned on January 6, when he received a two-year fixed jail term for punching a man several times and then stomping on his face in Sydney's CBD in November last year.
The 24-year-old had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
But during a bail application on Thursday, Packer told the Downing Centre District Court that his victim had actually punched him first.
"The other man stood up into my face and he punched me in the left side of my mouth," he told the court.
He added that he had pleaded guilty because "that was the advice that I had been given. The legal team I sought said that was my only option."
Packer later added that he had told Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett about the altercation and of how he had been punched during the attack.
In light of this, the 24-year-old's new barrister George Thomas said they were expecting to lodge an application to withdraw his guilty plea next week.
Mr Thomas said Packer had a long history of alcohol abuse for which he needed to receive immediate treatment at a residential rehabilitation program.
Packer told the court he had been in segregation during his first two weeks in jail and had not received treatment for his addiction.
"I asked the people at the jail but they said you have to be there for a while before any of that stuff happens," he said.
He offered to put forward $150,000 as security for bail, which was refused by Judge Helen Syme.
She noted Packer was due to come before the court next month for an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

In sentencing Packer earlier this month, magistrate Greg Grogan said Packer was kicked out of the Chambers Hotel in Sydney's Martin Place at 1.30am on November because he was too drunk.
While in Martin Place, the 112-kilogram prop argued with another man after being accused of stealing cigarettes from a woman sitting nearby.
Packer punched the man in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
The former NRL player then punched him several more times before stomping or kicking him in the head.
Days after the sentence was handed down, the Newcastle Knights issued a statement saying Packer had been formally advised his contract had been terminated.
Packer played 110 NRL games in six seasons for the New Zealand Warriors and two Tests for the Kiwis before being recruited by Newcastle for the 2014 season.
.

 

[Captain Apollo]

I don't know shit about jail and bail and all those things. When someone is not out on bail does that mean they are sitting in a cell in a cop shop somewhere?

No they wind up in a cell in a prison. They only stay in cellls in police stations, generally speaking, over night. These types of people are known as remand prisoners. In NSW the principal place remand prisoners go is to theMetropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater (for male remandees) or the Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre (obviously for female remandees). Otherwise they go to a reception centre wher remandees are kept so that thedy are not in with the same areas as convicted felons.

 

[God-King Dean]

Newcastle?

More like....... Thugcastle!

 

[eozsmiles]

If all these alcohol and mental health issues are right, then it could be the worst piece of recruiting ever.

 

[Spot On]

Why??? Due to the fact he's a young bloke that can't handle his grog??? There's f**king heaps of them running around in the NRL, and everywhere else in society. He obviously needs to get off the drink but the NRL is littered with blokes who misbehave, have been charged with assault, shit in hallways, assault there partners, have fun and games with K9's etc, etc, etc when on the drink. Many of the above have also been recruited one time or another in their careers.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I don't know shit about jail and bail and all those things. When someone is not out on bail does that mean they are sitting in a cell in a cop shop somewhere?

To simplify bail, bail is an agreement/undertaking that a person makes with the court, that keeps them out of jail. Conditions such as reporting to the Police station, living at a certain address, a curfew, cash bond, etc etc. If a person cannot meet these conditions, they go to jail.

Bail continues until court

 

[_snafu_]

Newcastle?

More like....... Thugcastle!

What a marvellous gif.

 

[thorson1987]

Mr Thomas said Packer had a long history of alcohol abuse for which he needed to receive immediate treatment at a residential rehabilitation program.

And what is wrong with doing it in prison.

Would work just as well.

 

[Cumberland Throw]

Maybe his cousin James could bail him out

 

[El Diablo]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/21403769/ex-nrl-player-packers-bail-bid-fails/

Ex-NRL player Packer's bail bid fails
AAP

Sophie Tarr February 11, 2014, 5:39 pm

Sacked NRL player Russell Packer did not throw the first punch in a vicious assault in Sydney, a court has heard.

But his bid for release from jail into a rehabilitation centre was knocked back in the Downing Centre District Court because, whoever started the November 2013 fight, his behaviour was so violent in the moments that followed.

Packer pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm over an incident in which he repeatedly punched and stomped on a man in Sydney's Martin Place in November.

In January, the former Warriors prop was sentenced to two years jail.

He had been in Australia for only about a month when the assault happened and had just signed a three-year deal with the Newcastle Knights.

He has since been dumped by the club and remains behind bars.

Packer's legal team launched an appeal of his sentence on Monday. Barrister Greg James QC told the court the 24-year-old did not start the fight that landed him in jail.

"He asserts, and asserted to others shortly after the event, that the victim punched him first," Mr James said.

He said Packer's battle with alcohol "amounts to a mental condition and an addiction", and called on Judge Chris Hoy to order a report that would pave the way for Packer to serve his sentence in the community rather than in custody.

He also wanted Packer to be released on bail into a residential rehabilitation facility as he awaits the outcome of the appeal.

But Justice Hoy refused bail, saying "the circumstances of the offence represent serious violent behaviour".

He also ordered NSW Corrective Services to produce a full drug and alcohol report on Packer.

The public gallery was filled with journalists, Packer's partner and members of his family, who flew in from New Zealand to support him.

The court heard Packer's partner remained in Australia.

"It's a difficult situation," Mr James told reporters outside court.

"The family and his club are supporting him as strongly as they can."

The sentence appeal will be heard in April.

 

[Diesel]

That judge seems to back the original sentence, I guess a lot of them are fed up with drunk dickheads causing harm to others

 

[Paullyboy]

Good news for all concerned (except that jerk packer, but he gets what he deserves)

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...-in-eight-months/story-fni0cx12-1226881183413

Russell Packer wins parole date and could be out of jail in eight months

LEMA SAMANDAR AND ASHLEE MULLANY
The Daily Telegraph
April 11, 2014 4:02PM

FORMER Newcastle Knights player Russell Packer could be out of jail in eight months after a parole period was added to his sentence.

The 24-year old was sentenced to a fixed term of two years for a drunken assault in January but immediately appealed the sentence.

Judge Chris Hoy quashed the original sentence at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court today.

Judge Hoy gave him the same maximum two-year period but Packer will now be eligible for parole after serving 12 months.

The former New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand representative player could be out of jail in January.

Judge Hoy said the fixed term of two years was “too severe”.

In his decision to quash the sentence, Judge Hoy said he had considered that the offence was not planned, Packer’s excellent character references, his genuine remorse and his good rehabilitation prospects.

“I see potential in you sir,” Judge Hoy told him, adding that he could become an even greater role model when he addresses his alcohol abuse disorder.

Packer pleaded guilty to punching 22-year-old Lester Time in the side of the head with a clenched fist, causing him to stumble backwards in November last year.

He had been kicked out of a Martin Place bar for being drunk before the attack, then moved forward and continued to strike Mr Time in the head repeatedly until he fell backwards and was “motionless” on the ground, where he punched him in the head again and stomped on his face.

The victim suffered two fractures.

The Newcastle Knights sacked him after he was convicted.

 

[umina panther]

Clicked on this thread hoping he had be shanked to death....what a shame

 

[MaxPower]

What a f**ked up comment.

 

[betcats]

Clicked on this thread hoping he had be shanked to death....what a shame

Is that you Enoka?

 

[Noname36]

Clicked on this thread hoping he had be shanked to death....what a shame

What the f**k is wrong with you?

 

[God-King Dean]

Hope Knight Vision doesn't see that comment. Might have to teach you a bit of respect.

 

[BunniesMan]

You f**kwits defending Packer, have a read of what he actually did. In the world of assaults, it's about as bad as it gets. It turns my stomach. That he is allowed out early is a disgrace. He'll probably get a game in the NRL in 2015. It's pathetic.