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From the West today..
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-...-rugby-player/
A semi-professional English rugby union player allegedly stole a Perth taxi after he bashed the driver, who had to flee into a passer-by's vehicle.
Ryan Matthew Townsend, 24, was granted bail on strict conditions yesterday, including that he surrender his passport and report to police three times a week.
Mr Townsend was charged in Perth Magistrate's Court yesterday with aggravated robbery over the incident on Sunday and driving with a blood alcohol reading of more than 0.08.
Police allege Mr Townsend was a passenger when he punched the cabbie while they were on the freeway near Padbury about 8pm after an argument about the fare.
The driver pulled over on Whitfords Avenue, but Mr Townsend, a labourer, allegedly continued punching him before he managed to get out of the taxi.
The alleged assault continued outside the taxi until the driver broke free and flagged down a motorist who picked him up.
Police allege Mr Townsend then took the taxi and was arrested a short time later in Craigie.
The driver was treated for cuts to his face and loose teeth.
Taxi Council WA chief executive Olwyn Williams said the incident spooked the driver, who told her the attack only stopped after the motorist helped him. "It is a shocking incident and attacks like this put people off the industry," she said.
"Many drivers will not work at night because of the unpredictability of passengers, particularly when they're affected by alcohol and drugs."
She said the driver claimed the man racially abused him.
The court was told Mr Townsend, who was not required to plead, is in Australia on a 12-month working visa.
Prosecutor Sgt Steve Balcombe did not oppose bail but asked that Mr Townsend, who lives in Padbury, surrender his passport and provide a surety.
Magistrate Janelle Scutt told Mr Townsend the allegations were serious, before releasing him on bail with a $5000 surety and a $5000 personal undertaking to appear in Joondalup Magistrate's Court next month
The club he played for doesn't matter,they'd be disappointed with that crap.Club's name can't be dragged through the mud through the actions of a pom who obviously isn't used to full strength Aussie piss
Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.
The ABC News article names it all.
doesn't look like one of frank's wiser investments![]()
This is a superfluous fact and has no bearing on the incident. You get idiots everywhere, and no matter his nationality or occupation he should face the full force of the law for the crime he is alleged (not yet convicted) to have committed.A semi-professional English rugby union player.
(He's not a semi professional rugby player as there is no rugby being played here for another 6 months).
More information that is only of use to the judge, and bears no fact for what/why he did the crime.The court was told Mr Townsend, who was not required to plead, is in Australia on a 12-month working visa.
In sentencing, it is now possible that a punishment may be extradition and banned from re-entering Australia for time/life. I have no sympathy for the person, if you commit a crime you deserve to be punished.
Unfortunately, you get drunken idiots in EVERY Nationality (Aussies have James O'Connor). Where they come from is not what makes them an idiot, their ability to control their temper and act rationally is.
WARURA Referee
I do it because I love the game.
I don't think he was one of Frank's. I'm told he's a mate of a mate who didn't play last season anyway.
Get rid of him asap.
Yeah I can't recall him so if he did play he certainly didn't stand out.I think he is just big noting himself and I'm just happy he's not a Kiwi[for a change] to give the usuals ammo
Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.