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AAP, The West Australian
February 7, 2011, 6:31 pm
The West Australian ©
Western Force back Cameron Shepherd has been fined $15,000 and handed a two-match suspended ban after he was charged with drink driving in December last year.
Shepherd appeared before an Australian Rugby Union tribunal in Sydney tonight charged with breaching their code of conduct.
It followed Shepherd's conviction in Perth's Magistrates Court last week for driving under the influence and driving whilst suspended in December, 2010.
The three man tribunal of Barrister Dominic Villa, ARU Integrity Manager Phil Thomson and retired District Court Judge Robert Viol handed down the penalties.
Shepherd will also be required to undergo further counselling with the support of the ARU and Force.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...or-force-star/
A suspended 2 match ban - he's good to play! Cost him a bit though ....
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
Should think himself lucky!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
He got off light, but I'm not surprised, others in a similar boat haven't been treated too much differently.
I hope he realises how lucky he is.
C'mon the![]()
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Lets hope that this is wake up call that spurs him onto greater achievements on the field, but even more importantly not to be such a "Bloody Idiot", as there is just no excuse for driving under the influence.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Money isnt too bad - think of the money he will save in Petrol
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
NICK TAYLOR SYDNEY, The West Australian
February 8, 2011, 6:51 am
Western Force star Cameron Shepherd's dream of playing for the Wallabies at this year's Rugby World Cup is still alive after he received a suspended two-match ban from the Australian Rugby Union last night.
He was also hit with the maximum $15,000 fine for a code of conduct breach and ordered to undergo further counselling in the wake of a second drink-driving offence.
The suspended ban, which is in force for 12 months, means Shepherd is free to play for the Force this season.
He appeared before the ARU's code of conduct tribunal yesterday.
Shepherd, who has had a two-year horror run of injuries and is hoping to break back into the Wallabies squad this year, may have jeopardised some of his lucrative private sponsorship deals after his latest run in with police and appearances in court and before the ARU tribunal.
The 26-year-old was fined $2400 and banned from driving in Perth Magistrate's Court last week.
It was his second appearance in court for driving in excess of 0.08 and driving under suspension
He would not comment after leaving ARU headquarters in Sydney where he has been training with Force teammates for Thursday's pre-season warm-up against the Waratahs in Nowra.
However, Force chief executive Vern Reid said Shepherd had been dealt with in an appropriate manner and RugbyWA considered the matter closed.
"Cameron isn't proud of his actions and has shown significant remorse," Reid said.
"The severity of the penalties which could have resulted from his actions have served to be a significant wake-up call for Cameron.
"He is extremely grateful to be given the opportunity by the court and ARU tribunal to seek the appropriate help to make better choices in his life.
"He fully acknowledges and understands that he has let not only himself down but also the members and supporters of the Western Force and the wider rugby fraternity."
The three-man tribunal, chairman, barrister Dominic Villa, ARU integrity manager Phil Thomson and retired Perth District Court Judge Robert Viol also heard submissions from Shepherd and his lawyer John Prior.
Chief Magistrate Steven Heath imposed penalties in Perth Magistrate's Court for the offences committed in December last year.
He disqualified Shepherd for nine months - starting when an existing suspension ends - for driving under suspension and imposed another 12-month disqualification, for the drink-driving offence.
Prior told the court the ARU had previously fined Shepherd $7500 for two previous driving offences of driving in excess of 0.08 and driving under suspension.
Shepherd made his Australian debut against England in 2006 and has nine caps.
He made his Super rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2004 and joined the Force for the 2006 season.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ream-lives-on/