Cross-code legend Wendell Sailor has had criminal charges dismissed under mental health legislation with a warning to ensure his life stays on the right path.
The 51-year-old had pleaded guilty to three charges spanning six months, including resisting arrest and intimidation.
But the dual international was given a reprieve in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Friday when the magistrate said his progress in turning around his alcohol addiction was promising.
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Sailor has been on medication for several months to treat both depression and alcoholism, magistrate Jennifer Atkinson found.
The two drunken incidents that led to the charges had been a necessary wake-up call to prompt him to seek help.
Court documents said it took nine police officers to get Sailor into custody during an incident in Wollongong, and also stated that he acted “aggressively” and “abused police repeatedly”.
Sailor seemingly mocked that claim on social media, when he posted a picture of himself from 2017 with Hollywood star Amber Heard and the captions “fake news” and “they sent 9 (with laughing emojis)“.
The court documents also described Sailor as “hostile” in both incidents.
Sailor represented Australia in both rugby codes, distinguishing himself as the top try-scorer when the national side won the Rugby League World Cup in 2000.
Sailor also proved a prolific scorer during a four-year rugby union stint, crossing 13 times in 37 games for the Wallabies and earning a start in the 2003 World Cup final.
He finished his 222-game NRL career in 2009 after nine seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and two seasons with St George Illawarra.
– With 7NEWS.com.au
