- Was a flashy entertainer in the NRL in the past
- Career has been marred by a series of controversies
- Was lucky enough to escape from prison on his latest charge
Flashy but controversial former NRL star Chris Sandow has been warned he will end up in jail if he so much as drives his car to the shops while he appears in court again.
Sandow started his NRL career with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2008, making an immediate impact and earning the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award.
Known for his attacking flair and out-of-the-box footy, he played 80 games for the Rabbitohs, scoring 405 points, before joining the Parramatta Eels in 2012.
During four seasons with the Eels, Sandow played in 69 games and added 235 points to his career.
However, Sandow’s career was marked by several controversies.
In 2017, he was involved in a videotaped street fight in Cherbourg, Queensland.
Former NRL star Chris Sandow (pictured) has appeared in court again after being charged with new driving charges following his arrest in Ipswich, Queensland
Sandow was previously involved in a street fight in Cherbourg on New Year’s Day in 2017
He narrowly avoided jail and was fined $300 after pleading guilty to public nuisance for his role in the New Year’s Day brawl.
And in 2022, Sandow was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer causing bodily harm, aggravated assault on a police officer or person assisting the police officer, two counts of obstructing police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of driving without a license and evasion.
He was acquitted of the charges of assaulting police but pleaded guilty to the other offences.
Now the fallen football star has appeared in court again, pleading guilty to one charge of obstructing a police officer and driving without a license disqualified by court order.
And again he was lucky to avoid prison, but he was still severely punished by magistrate Jason Schubert.
The 35-year-old appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, where the court heard he resisted arrest and shouted at bystanders to film the incident.
Sandow also continued to kick the police vehicle for several minutes after his arrest.
The court also heard that Sandow drove without a license on King Edward Parade in Ipswich on October 22.
The prosecutor told the court that Sandow had been given a suspended sentence at the time of both incidents and called for the sentence to be carried out.
The former South Sydney and Parramatta halfback has been banned from driving for two years
Magistrate Schubert gave Sandow 200 hours of unpaid community service and also banned him from driving for two years.
He warned Sandow not to get behind the wheel during that time or he could face jail time.
“Don’t think you can just go to the store and drive because most police cars have scanners active all the time,” he said.
“Don’t come back to court.”
Mr. Sandow told it News Corp he regretted the incidents but was happy to have escaped a prison sentence.
“It was a good result today,” he said.
Convictions have been recorded for both charges.
Sandow has given up hope of returning to the NRL and said he would now look for coaching opportunities.