ADD0-CARR WARNED BY POLICE BEFORE CAMP BREACH
JOSH Addo-Carr was warned twice in 11 days for violating COVID-19 restrictions before he was caught for a third time on a weekend camping trip that has thrown the NRL into crisis.
The Melbourne Storm winger, South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell and Newcastle Knights player Tyronne Roberts-Davis have each been fined $1000 by police for breaching social distancing protocols in photos Addo-Carr released on social media.
Addo-Carr and Mitchell are also being investigated for possible criminal charges relating to firearms.
The pair, along with RobertsDavis, were caught on the hunting and camping trip on the NSW midnorth coast at Mitchell’s property at Caffreys Flat, near Taree, in photographs and videos with nine other friends and relatives.
They also travelled nearly 200km from Caffreys Flat to a remote beach between Hat Head and South West Rocks to go trail bike riding.
Police spoke to the three men yesterday before issuing them with the $1000 infringements. But the breach was not the first time police had spoken to Addo-Carr for failing to adhere to the lockdown laws.
With the country being urged to stay at home, Addo-Carr was given formal warnings by police on April 3 and April 14 – both at Glebe in Sydney after being found sitting in a car without good reason.
He was also warned on April 16 for driving an unregistered car.
Detectives are also investigating Addo-Carr for allegedly firing a shotgun owned by Mitchell despite not holding a firearms licence – a charge which carries a maximum of five years in jail.
And Mitchell, who is the registered owner of several weapons, is being investigated under section 39 of the NSW Firearms Act (1996) for allegedly not taking precautions that the shotgun did not come into the possession of a person not authorised to possess it.
That charge has a maximum penalty of fines of thousands of dollars or two years in jail.
Police will also investigate potential offences for riding unregistered trail bikes without licences.
A furious NRL boss Peter V’landys is working alongside the integrity unit to determine penalties.
It is believed all three players are facing suspensions of up to a month, or possibly two weeks combined with heavy fines.