Warning after league prodigy allegedly resisted arrest
Written by admin on October 23, 2024
Whether a “victim or a villain”, a magistrate has said an embattled one-time rugby league prodigy needs to know what charges he is facing after allegedly resisting arrest at a popular Sydney venue.
Arana Taumata, 35, appeared from custody before Waverley Local Court on Wednesday after he was charged with hindering police following his arrest outside the Coogee Pavilion on Saturday.
Police allege Mr Taumata ran from officers who approached him outside the popular licensed venue in the Sydney’s glitzy eastern suburbs about 10.30pm, but was arrested after a short chase.
Police said a 29-year-old officer suffered a laceration to his head during Mr Taumata’s arrest and was taken to hospital in a stable condition, with the league star twice refused bail over the weekend.
Appearing before the court on Wednesday, a police prosecutor told magistrate Jacqueline Milledge the allegations “read like an assault” and that it was expected further charges would be laid.
The court was told police allege four officers were involved in the incident outside the widely known venue and that Mr Taumata had “used his right arm to harm the police officer in the vest”.
Representing himself, Mr Taumata said he had been tackled by one of the officers and told the court he wished to plead guilty in order to compile a “report” ahead of another attempt at bail next week.
Ms Milledge said the 35-year-old was not able to enter pleas with charges outstanding, but warned the police prosecutor that “whether a victim or a villain, he needs to know what he is facing”.
The magistrate adjourned the matter until Monday, a day before Mr Taumata is due to appear before Gosford Local Court on four outstanding domestic violence warrants and is expected to apply for bail.
It comes after a warrant was issued for the one-time footy prodigy’s arrest in June after Mr Taumata failed to appear at Gosford Local Court and was convicted of seven offences in his absence.
He had pleaded not guilty to fraud, dealing with the proceeds of crime, common assault and intimidation, but was convicted in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up.
Mr Taumata played a combined 14 NRL games for Canterbury, North Queensland and Penrith from 2008 to 2012.
He was sacked by the Broncos, Roosters, Bulldogs, Melbourne and in 2013 he was let go by the Panthers due to off-field issues.
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