- The ex-NRL star appeared in court on Wednesday
- He was charged with obstructing police
- He had been arrested outside a popular pub
Whether ‘victim or villain’, a magistrate has said a controversial former rugby league prodigy should know what charges he faces after allegedly resisting arrest at a popular Sydney venue.
Arana Taumata, 35, appeared from custody at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday after being charged with obstructing police following his arrest outside the Coogee Pavilion on Saturday.
Police allege Mr Taumata was fleeing officers who approached him outside the popular licensed venue in Sydney’s glitzy eastern suburbs about 10.30pm, but was arrested after a short chase.
Police said a 29-year-old officer suffered a laceration to his head during Taumata’s arrest and was taken to hospital in stable condition. The league star was denied bail twice this weekend.
A police prosecutor appeared in court on Wednesday and told magistrate Jacqueline Milledge that the charges “read like an attack” and that further charges were expected to be laid.
The court was told police claimed four officers were involved in the incident outside the publicly known location and that Mr Taumata had ‘used his right arm to hurt the police officer in the vest’.
Representing himself, Mr Taumata said he had been tackled by one of the officers and told the court he wanted to plead guilty to prepare a ‘report’ ahead of another bail attempt next week.
Ms Milledge said the 35-year-old could not enter pleas as the charges were still outstanding, but warned the police prosecutor that ‘whether he is a victim or a villain, he needs to know what he is dealing with’.
Former league player Arana Taumata, 35, was charged with resisting arrest and appeared in court on Wednesday
He was arrested outside a popular Sydney pub on Saturday and is also facing four domestic violence warrants
The magistrate adjourned the case until Monday, a day before Mr Taumata is due to appear at Gosford Local Court on four outstanding domestic violence warrants and is expected to apply for bail.
It comes after a warrant was issued for the one-time child prodigy’s arrest in June after Mr Taumata failed to appear at Gosford Local Court and was convicted of seven offenses in his absence.
He had pleaded not guilty to fraud, dealing with the proceeds of crime, common assault and intimidation, but was convicted in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear.
Mr Taumata played a total of 14 NRL games for Canterbury, North Queensland and Penrith from 2008 to 2012.
He was sacked by the Broncos, Roosters, Bulldogs, Melbourne and in 2013 he was let go by the Panthers due to off-field issues.