Shamed RL star sent home
A RUGBY star from Australia, brought over to play for the Wildcats, has been sent home to serve a community sentence for punching a 19-year-old woman in the face and breaking her nose.
But shamed player Tevita Latu could yet make a return to the UK in time for the Wakefield side's next home game on August 13.
The New Zealander was ordered to serve 200 hours community service and sacked by his Sydney club Cronulla in May for assaulting the woman following an argument at a service station in May.
The 25-year-old was deregistered by the Australian rugby league and arrived in England on July 26 after being handed a last chance in the game by Wildcats. He trained for three days but it quickly became apparent he hadn't been given the all-clear by the Australian parole board.
He returned home last Sunday, arriving in Sydney the following day and began his community service on Wednesday, attending an induction day with the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services.
He must now must complete the 200 hours within 18 months, but there remains a chance that he could get part of his sentence deferred, leaving him free to head back to England and boost the Wildcats' relegation battle.
Wildcats chief executive Steve Ferres said: "Latu's solicitor is trying on Monday to get his sentence deferred. With this, he could be available for the Catalans game on August 13. If not, there's still a chance he could play in our final three games."
A Corrective Services spokesman said: "A deferral depends on his supervisor, and he has already been refused twice for a deferment."
09 August 2006
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