Ex-rugby star punched man after racist abuse

A FORMER Wales rugby star threw punches at a man outside a pub after being taunted with racist abuse.

Dale McIntosh – popularly known as “Chief” – was seen by police taking his jacket off before cornering a man and apparently hitting him several times.

New Zealand-born McIntosh, who used to coach Cardiff Blues, had been drinking, and twice walked away from the group taunting him before returning and throwing punches.

At Llandudno Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the 6ft 4in ex-flanker apologised for his behaviour and said he wouldn’t make any excuses for it.

McIntosh told the court: “I’m not here to question it or make excuses for myself. I used physical force, I am a professional person and role model in my community. I extend my sincere apologies especially to the three arresting officers.

“Hopefully I will learn from this experience.”

His team, Merthyr Tydfil, had been playing in North Wales and staying in Rhyl at the time of the February 4 incident. He had gone out on his own for a drink when the group began to verbally abuse him.

His defence solicitor Graham Parry said: “It’s a very unfortunate incident. He does a significant amount of voluntary work. He’s highly regarded. He was subject to a considerable amount of very unpleasant provocation. He did walk away twice.”

No complaint was made against McIntosh, of Coed-y-Cwm, Pontypridd, over the punches he threw.

Judge Gerallt Jones told McIntosh that “behaviour of this nature often crosses the community penalty threshold”.

But, “taking into account you are of impeccable good character, prompt guilty plea and character references,” he instead fined him £350 for threatening behaviour and ordered him to pay £120 costs.