Stars join in defence as Barba awaits fate
QUEENSLAND Maroons captain Daly Cherry-evans vouched for Ben Barba, his mate of 20 years, in a character reference tendered as part of the fallen NRL star’s drunken assault case.
Barba spent last night behind bars and will learn the outcome of his latest drunken episode today — a result that could determine if he returns to professional rugby league.
Mackay Magistrates Court heard yesterday Barba punched his brother-in-law Adrian Currie once in the head after the pair had words following an argument between Barba and his wife at a pub on February 22.
Soon after, police were called to another disturbance between Barba and his wife just down the road where he told officers: “I punched the c---sucker in the face because he doesn’t like me and he called me a woman basher, I’m glad I punched him.”
Despite the shocking allegations, a slew of NRL stars lined up to support Barba, who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, breaching bail and failing to complete community service.
The community service is linked to public nuisance charges over an incident with his wife Ainsley Currie, which resulted in his $400,000-plus a year Cowboys contract being torn up.
Current and former NRL players Cherry-evans, Nate Myles, Valentine Holmes and Ashley Harrison wrote character references tendered in court by Barba’s lawyer, Campbell Maccallum.
“A common theme also throughout these references is … he’s a person who although can be quite flamboyant and (a) crowd favourite while playing rugby league … becomes very shy, introverted and struggled with the pressure of dealing with that fame outside of rugby league,” Mr Maccallum said. Cherry-evans wrote he had known Barba for about 20 years.
“Becoming a professional athlete doesn’t automatically give you the ability to deal with your emotions,” he wrote.
Holmes said Barba was “a gentleman on the field”.
Mr Maccallum said the letters showed he was not “a man who takes advantage of his fame and flamboyantly runs around town causing trouble to others”.
But Magistrate James Morton replied: “Well that’s what we’ve got here isn’t it?
“This is a licensed premises where they sell alcohol and he’s leaned over and punched (him) for calling him a woman basher.”
The court was told Barba has been offered a contract with the Valencia Huracanes in Spain, and there was a clause in it that he could return to the NRL with “various clubs” awaiting the court outcome.
His lawyer pushed for a $1500 fine with no convictions recorded, but the prosecution wants a wholly suspended jail term or immediate parole.