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ROOSTER'S rugby league star Chris Walker shoved and punched hecklers outside a Brisbane nightclub because he was under enormous stress from death threats, a court was told today.
Walker, of North Bondi in Sydney, was put on a good behaviour bond after he pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to assaulting and obstructing police and creating a public nuisance on May 3.
The 24-year-old winger was getting out of a taxi at 4am outside a Fortitude Valley nightclub when he says he was heckled by four men over leaving the NRL club South Sydney midway through last season and moving to the more successful Sydney Roosters.
His solicitor Campbell McCallum told the court Walker has been under massive stress since leaving his former club last year in controversial circumstances.
"This has caused a backlash from South Sydney fans," Mr McCallum said.
"He received death threats and taunts from disgruntled fans.
"The build up of fear and threats over the past year coupled with alcohol and celebrating State Of Origin selection has seen Mr Walker act in an out-of-character way."
Walker, originally from Toowoomba, was in Brisbane as part of a 22-strong preliminary Queensland State Of Origin squad and was under a 1am curfew.
The court was told Walker shoved the South Sydney fans in the chest and punched them in the face before police intervened.
The police officers sprayed him with capsicum spray when he failed to heed their warnings.
After being sprayed, he walked into oncoming traffic but continued struggling with police when they tried to help him.
Mr McCallum said Walker had been punished over and above the ordinary person with Queensland dumping him from the squad for game one of the Origin series.
He said he had also suffered "public humiliation and embarrassment" from widespread media coverage.
He said Walker had already been heavily disciplined by the Sydney Roosters.
Magistrate Matt McLaughlin commended the club for the steps it had taken by fining Walker $5,000, giving him a one match suspension, placing him on a complete alcohol ban for this season and compelling him to have alcohol abuse counselling.
Walker was put on a $500 bond for one year. He left the court without comment.
Walker, of North Bondi in Sydney, was put on a good behaviour bond after he pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to assaulting and obstructing police and creating a public nuisance on May 3.
The 24-year-old winger was getting out of a taxi at 4am outside a Fortitude Valley nightclub when he says he was heckled by four men over leaving the NRL club South Sydney midway through last season and moving to the more successful Sydney Roosters.
His solicitor Campbell McCallum told the court Walker has been under massive stress since leaving his former club last year in controversial circumstances.
"This has caused a backlash from South Sydney fans," Mr McCallum said.
"He received death threats and taunts from disgruntled fans.
"The build up of fear and threats over the past year coupled with alcohol and celebrating State Of Origin selection has seen Mr Walker act in an out-of-character way."
Walker, originally from Toowoomba, was in Brisbane as part of a 22-strong preliminary Queensland State Of Origin squad and was under a 1am curfew.
The court was told Walker shoved the South Sydney fans in the chest and punched them in the face before police intervened.
The police officers sprayed him with capsicum spray when he failed to heed their warnings.
After being sprayed, he walked into oncoming traffic but continued struggling with police when they tried to help him.
Mr McCallum said Walker had been punished over and above the ordinary person with Queensland dumping him from the squad for game one of the Origin series.
He said he had also suffered "public humiliation and embarrassment" from widespread media coverage.
He said Walker had already been heavily disciplined by the Sydney Roosters.
Magistrate Matt McLaughlin commended the club for the steps it had taken by fining Walker $5,000, giving him a one match suspension, placing him on a complete alcohol ban for this season and compelling him to have alcohol abuse counselling.
Walker was put on a $500 bond for one year. He left the court without comment.
