Titan to fight assault charge
TITANS player Dan Sarginson has faced a Gold Coast court after allegedly pushing a security guard at a Burleigh Heads pub, but his lawyer says it’s his client who should be pressing charges.
The English Super League recruit briefly appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday charged with assault occasioning bodily harm relating to an incident at the Burleigh Heads Hotel on May 24.
Sarginson has indicated he will plead not guilty.
The 24-year-old’s defence lawyer, Campbell MacCallum of Moloney MacCallum Lawyers, said he believed his client was targeted because of his status as an NRL player.
“It seems to be the flavour to target these particular highprofile persons,” Mr MacCallum said.
“He (Sarginson) originally was just given an infringement ticket (for public nuisance) and then after it was found out he was playing for the Titans, a complaint was then made and formal charges were laid against him.”
Mr MacCallum said there had been some “heavy handedness” from the guards at the hotel and Sarginson was expected to make a complaint against the “security providers” involved in the incident.
Police allege Sarginson, 24, became involved in an altercation with the guard when he approached him to find out what had occurred between the man and one of Sarginson’s friends.
He is accused of pushing the guard before a scuffle broke out and Sarginson was allegedly punched and kicked by security staff.
Sarginson is believed to have been out with Titan Kevin Proctor and two other British footballers that night.
“There wasn’t much alcohol at all involved,” Mr MacCallum told reporters yesterday.
“He was taken to the ground and there were a number of punches on him.”
The incident happened just six weeks after Sarginson underwent surgery for an injured shoulder.
“When he was taken to the ground he was asking them to be careful of his shoulder, to no avail,” Mr MacCallum said.
The former Wigan centre had his bail extended and his matter was adjourned until July 20.
The Titans have reported the incident to the NRL integrity unit. Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said no other players were involved in the incident.