CRIME
14 FEB 12 @ 03:32PM BY BRENTON CHERRY




FORMER Western Force rugby player Haig Sare fronted court today, charged with assaulting his wife Kimberley.

The 29-year-old, who played with the Warringah Rats before retiring last year due to injury, appeared briefly in Manly Local Court today and did not enter a plea.

He was also called to respond to an application for an Apprehended Violence Order which was made following the incident at the couple’s unit on White St, Balgowlah on January 27.

Sare has applied to have the matters dealt with under section 32 of the Mental Health Act.

The court heard Mrs Sare’s AVO application referred to her husband’s anxiety issues and the use of elicit drugs, an allegation ``absolutely denied’’ by Sare, who also refuted ``grabbing’’ his wife, as outlined in the application.

The court also heard Sare, who has a 16-month-old child with his estranged wife, had in recent weeks started treatment for his long-standing anxiety issues and had been referred to both a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

Both matters have been adjourned until March 20. In the interim, Sare agreed to not go within 100m of any premises where his wife is residing.

Sare, who had 35 caps for the Force, made national headlines in 2008 when he was involved in an altercation with teammate Matt Henjak that left him with a broken jaw.

Sare was suspended for eight matches and fined $5000 by the Force. Henjak was sacked.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au...nes-for-sares/