Paul McGirr successfully defended NSW Waratah rugby player Robbie Abel in relation to driving matters before Sutherland Local Court. Magistrate Kemp accepted Mr McGirr’s submissions and did not proceed to record a conviction.
Robbie Abel: NSW Waratah hooker in court on driving charge | Daily Telegraph | Eliza Barr
An international representative rugby player was described as a role model and “a good bloke” when he faced a Sydney court after he was busted driving without a licence.
Super Rugby star Robbie Abel, 31, was hauled before Sutherland Local Court charged with driving as someone who was never licensed in NSW after his ACT license was suspended for unpaid fines.
Police facts tendered to the court state the NSW Waratahs’ hooker was pulled over on Thurlow Rd in Riverwood on May 25 this year because his vehicle was unregistered.
“Checks on the accused’s licence revealed that it was endorsed as suspended but police were unable to determine the reason for suspension due to the limitations of the online system,” police facts state.
“The accused was spoken to about his licence but was unaware of the suspended status of his licence.”
When police subsequently applied for his interstate traffic record they determined his licence had been suspended since July 2019 due to unpaid fines.
A traffic history tendered to the court reveals Abel received two infringement notices in NSW earlier this year – a $344 fine and five demerit points for using his mobile phone while driving, and a $121 fine and one demerit for speeding less than 10km/h over the limit.
At court Abel pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and Magistrate Holly Kemp found the offence proven but dismissed it without conviction.
“This is a firm and friendly reminder that at all times you must be aware of your licence status,” Ms Kemp told Abel.
His solicitor Paul McGirr – who frequently represents elite sportsmen in court – told Ms Kemp his client was living in the rugby union COVID-19 bubble after the Waratahs missed out on a place in the finals.
“Young people tend to look up to sports stars,” Mr McGirr said.
“He’s a good bloke.”
Abel joined the Waratahs last November after playing for Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup.
He grew up in Orange in the state’s Central West before launching his rugby career as an Australian Schoolboy for St Edmunds College in Canberra and later played for the Maori All Blacks in 2018.
He previously played for the Brumbies and the Rebels in the Super Rugby competition and has returned to NSW with the possibility of joining Gordon in the Shute Shield.