http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...nk-calls-to-female-coach-20150811-giwd6k.html
Bulldogs player David Minute thought moaning and talking like a "boogie man" during a series of phone calls to a female coach was a joke.
But the 22-year-old has lost his NRL contract, his $90,000-a-year salary that supported eight relatives, and is now subject to a good behaviour bond.
Minute appeared in Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, where he was given a 12-month bond for harassing Elizabeth Marin, the team's strength and conditioning coach, during eight calls to her mobile phone.
According to a statement of facts tendered to the court, Ms Marin received several silent calls from a private number about 6.30pm on July 19.
Then, during a call at 6.34pm, Ms Marin could "hear noises coming from the phone that sounded like a male moaning whilst masturbating", the document said.
She went to a friend's house, where she kept receiving similar calls, including others where she could hear a man saying "Liz" in a "boogie man" voice.
Police were able to trace the calls back to a phone belonging to Minute's girlfriend, and he later told officers he made the calls.
"The accused ... stated that it was a prank and a joke," the fact sheet said.
"The accused stated that he was only making noises on the phone and was not in the act of masturbating during the calls."
Minute's solicitor, Danny Eid, told the court his client's contract with the club was not going to be renewed in October.
"It's a practical joke that went horribly wrong," Mr Eid said.
"All of the money that he earned was to support the eight people he lives with."
Mr Eid said Minute had suffered "extra curial" punishment in losing his career, and had been previously well regarded.
"[Bulldogs coach] Des Hasler said to me last night 'You never hear a word from him'. Mr Minute has regretted this incident considerably."
Magistrate Gary Still did not record a conviction against Minute for the two charges of using a phone to harass.
"The whole thing is absurd," Mr Still said.
"I don't know why you'd make continued calls like that. I accept that he's lost his career, maybe for all time."
Minute did not make any comment as he left court with his mother and other supporters.
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