James Roberts: Footy star opens up about his dole and depression hell as he asks judge for mercy after pleading guilty to domestic violence offence
Former NRL star James Roberts has walked away without conviction after breaching an AVO by repeatedly calling his estranged partner.
Roberts appeared in the local court at Sydney’s Downing Center on Tuesday when a magistrate heard the ex-NSW state of origin representative had not worked for six months and was receiving Centrelink benefits to make ends meet.
The 31-year-old, who made more than 160 NRL appearances for five clubs during his playing career, previously pleaded guilty to breaching a condition of an AVO not to contact his de facto partner, Anna Jovanovic.
One charge of stalking or harassment against him was dropped by prosecutors on Tuesday and dismissed by the court.
Roberts’ lawyer told the court the reason he called Ms Jovanovic was to contact his children, and he fully accepted his wrongdoing.
‘He openly admits the infringement; he called her outside office hours,” the lawyer said.
‘He had difficulty reaching the children at the agreed times.
“It was just about that.”
James Roberts (pictured outside court on Tuesday) pleaded guilty to calling his ex 33 times despite being banned from contacting her under the terms of an AVO
Roberts, 31 (pictured while playing for Wests Tigers) has been living on Centrelink payments for six months, court heard
The prosecutor argued that there are other ways to deal with the situation than “bullying and harassing” Ms Jovanovic.
“It wasn’t just a one-time call – it was 33 calls over a month and a half period,” the prosecutor said.
According to court documents, Roberts posted a Facebook message in October suggesting that Ms. Jovanovic was not allowing him to communicate with his children.
Magistrate Scott Nash said he understood both sides’ positions and noted the need to deter others from similarly breaching AVOs, which are designed to protect potential victims of domestic abuse.
He accepted Roberts’ reasons for breaching the AVO as being an attempt to contact his children.
“That could be an explanation, but not an excuse,” Mr. Nash said.
The former Rabbitohs and Panthers star is pictured being led to a police van following a court appearance over the AVO breach last October
Roberts angrily punched the window of the vehicle (pictured) as he was taken away
But instead of adding a conviction to Roberts’ record, the magistrate opted for a 15-month conditional release.
The AVO was extended for a further two years, with Mr Nash pressing Roberts to prove the breach was out of character.
“I think in the circumstances where it is at the lower end of seriousness… I will consider this an aberration on his part,” he said.
The court was told Roberts’ lack of contact with his children caused him “severe distress”, which likely contributed to problems with depression.
“He was a first-class NRL player, but the moment his relationship fell apart… his career came to an end,” Roberts’ lawyer told the court.
“He has no income other than Centrelink.”
Once dubbed the fastest man in rugby league, Roberts retired in 2022
He was arrested outside Downing Center Local Court in October after appearing for a brief court appearance.
Roberts played for 12 seasons in the NRL for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos.
He appeared in all three matches for NSW in the successful 2018 State of Origin campaign and played for the Indigenous All Stars and City Origin before retiring in 2022.