Lichaa’s fiancee tells police she was caught ‘making out’ with Elliott
By Adrian Proszenko and Christian Nicolussi
Updated February 15, 2021 — 5.07pmfirst published at 11.05am
Michael Lichaa’s fiancee told police she was caught “making out” with his former Canterbury teammate Adam Elliott, although Lichaa’s lawyer claims the incident didn’t incite his client to assault either party.
Police were called to Lichaa’s rented home at Connells Point after a social gathering became heated. Lichaa was charged by police with common assault (domestic violence), destroying or damaging property (domestic violence) and stalking/intimidation causing fear of physical harm (domestic violence). The alleged victim for all three charges was his partner, Kara Childerhouse.
Lichaa, Childerhouse and their mutual friend, Bulldogs forward Elliott, had “consumed a large amount of alcohol”, according to court documents obtained by the Herald.
It’s alleged Lichaa and Childerhouse had an argument after she accused him of infidelity. An angry Lichaa went to sleep in their bedroom, while Childerhouse and Elliott remained awake.
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About 4.30am on Sunday, Lichaa woke up. Unable to find Childerhouse, the Lebanon international rang her mother in a panicked state. It’s alleged he found Elliott and Childerhouse “kissing on the back deck”.
Lichaa is alleged to have chased Childerhouse into the street. She then locked herself in a room.
It is alleged Elliott and Lichaa were then involved in a heated confrontation. Lichaa punched four windows of the front door, causing deep lacerations to his forearm. He walked through several rooms, using a T-shirt to stem the flow of blood.
About 4.49am, Lichaa walked onto the street to call his father.
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Several calls were made to triple zero by members of the public, one of whom allegedly heard a male voice say he was going to “kill her”.
Lichaa was arrested at the scene and taken by ambulance to St George Hospital to be treated for his injuries, before being returned to police custody.
Lichaa’s lawyer, Sam Saadat, said his client “did not hit anyone”.
“There was definitely no assault, that is completely and comprehensively denied,” Saadat told the Herald. ”He has not assaulted anyone, that is definitely our case.
“But he did see something that upset him and that has triggered the shouting and the yelling that caused the neighbours to call the police. The alleged victim and Adam didn’t call the police, they were called by the neighbours.
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“The alleged victim will be in court to support Michael.”
Canterbury confirmed via a statement on Monday they were working with the NRL Integrity Unit.
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“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have overnight been made aware of an alleged incident involving Adam Elliott,” the statement read.
“The club has reported the matter to the NRL Integrity Unit and is currently working with them. The club is not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
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Lichaa played 98 games for the Bulldogs before being cut loose at the end of 2019. He was granted bail and will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday, when the matter is due for mention.
Lichaa and Childerhouse were due to be married this year and Elliott had been asked to be a groomsman. The NRL Integrity Unit was poised to interview Elliott on Monday over his role in the incident.
