A Sydney magistrate has taken into account the significant ‘hurt and anger’ that led a former NRL star to threaten to kill a pub worker and clash with police.
Former NRL star Shane Dunley played 70 premiership games for Balmain Tigers, Northern Eagles, Parramatta Eels and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles between 2004 and 2007.
He pleaded guilty to common assault, intimidation and obstructing or resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.
The charges follow an incident at the Menai Central Club in Sydney’s southwest on March 10, where the 48-year-old man attacked one worker and threatened to kill another after being ejected from the venue.
The court heard Dunley had gone to the venue for lunch when a customer asked him about his brother Wayde, a once-promising rugby player who tragically died in 2017.
Wayde, 28, died after a fall at Big Marley Beach while trying to fish off the rocks. He was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in a critical condition but later died from a fatal head injury.
Shane and Wayde Dunley before the family tragedy that shook the family in 2017
Shane Dunley played 70 premiership games between 2004 and 2007 for clubs including Manly, Balmain and Parramatta.
The former Wests Tigers NYC Player of the Year had a successful rugby career, contributing to two Premier League Sydney Shield titles with East Campbelltown, and is survived by his wife, Chelsea, and daughter, Koa.
House Rules host Johanna Griggs was brought to tears upon learning her husband had died just one day after the couple submitted an audition video for the reality show.
At the time, Shane had posted a heartbreaking photo of the brothers with the caption: “brothers, best friends.”
During the trial, the court heard accounts of Dunley’s behaviour on the night of the incident, where his aggression escalated to threats of serious harm.
Dunley became ‘extremely emotional and angry’ after drinking heavily at the pub.
Court documents describe how Dunley attempted to initiate a confrontation with a security guard as he was being escorted out.
News Corporation He has reported that in a fit of rage he attacked a staff member and threatened him with things like: “I’m going to kill you, you bastard. I’m going to split your head open. I’m going to stab you and kill your whole family. You’re a dead man.”
Wayde, pictured right, tragically died in 2017 when he fell off a cliff while fishing.
Shane, now 48, was emotional about his brother’s death at the time of the incident.
Despite being asked to leave, Dunley responded defiantly, saying: “Alright, get your biggest man out there and I’ll beat him, I’ll beat anybody.”
The situation escalated further when Dunley head-butted another member of staff and provocatively asked: “Would you like some?”
Police arrested Dunley and an alleged co-defendant shortly after they left the pub. They are said to have both confessed to changing seats so that Dunley would appear to be a passenger when they were stopped.
They were both arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station, where Dunley recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.158, more than three times the legal limit.
During Thursday’s court session, Dunley’s attorney, Wayne Pasterfield, highlighted the impact of Dunley’s brother’s death, saying that “ever since then (Dunley) has harbored this pain and this pent-up emotion.”
“The defendant and his brother were extremely close, best friends indeed,” he said.
“Losing a brother in such tragic circumstances would have a very disastrous effect on most people in the community and, coupled with alcohol, it is a recipe for disaster.”
“Maybe he let the pain get away from him,” said Magistrate Philip Stewart.
The magistrate dismissed the charge of obstructing police against Dunley, but found him guilty of common assault and intimidation. Dunley was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and fined $400.