No conviction for Panther Fuimaono hindering police

PENRITH Panthers NRL player Tyrell Fuimaono has escaped conviction after admitting he hindered police officers who were trying to arrest his cousin outside a Sydney nightclub.

NSW Police have conceded the former Rabbitoh (pictured) “acted in good faith” when trying to keep his 18-year-old cousin, Duwanye Mariner, out of trouble after police started arresting those involved in a large brawl on Oxford St in October 2018.

Fuimaono, who wasn’t involved in the Surry Hills brawl, was forced to the ground and placed in a headlock by an arresting officer.

Downing Centre Local Court magistrate Carolyn Huntsman said that interfering with police officers doing their job was serious even if Fuimaono was intending to help.

“I accept this was an out-ofcharacter situation for you but I must also deter others,” she said yesterday as she placed Fuimaono on a one-year good behaviour bond.

“If there had been a link between your offence and what was occurring, you would not be appropriate to (be given) any leniency.”

Fuimaono originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea yesterday after police withdrew a more serious charge of resisting police.