Former NRL player to defend charges

A FORMER NRL player will defend allegations of violence against him at a hearing later this year.

Anthony David Watts, 35, had his matter mentioned in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday.

He was not required to appear.

Watts pleaded not guilty on Monday to using a carriage service to threaten to kill, common assault, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and go armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The former Cowboys, Sharks and Roosters player also faces charges of using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, threaten injury to a person with intent to commit an indictable offence, go armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, possess or attempt to possess steroid agent and seven counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

Watts has not entered formal pleas on those charges.

Police allege Watts had stopped his car outside a gym owner’s home and demanded the owner cancel his ex-girlfriend’s membership and stay away from her.

When told no, police allege Watts pulled back a white towel on his front passenger seat to reveal a silver-barrelled handgun.

It’s further alleged the former rugby league player sent a number of threatening texts to his exgirlfriend including “Go die I hate you so much n I regret meeting you” and “Now I see why husbands kill there (sic) partners”.

Police allege Watts sent the woman a screenshot of a video depicting an acid attack victim with a badly scarred face, followed by a text message saying “F…k you” and “U will still be able to do CrossFit”.

The contested charges were adjourned to September 1 for hearing. The remaining charges were adjourned for mention on February 14. Watts remains in jail on remand and has not applied for bail.