News Kenty gone....

[Noeasyday]

How’s the tree doing?

Still undefeated.

 

[Moedogg]

Sacked NRL 360 host Paul Kent reveals he has been suffering from Asperger's syndrome for almost a decade | Daily Mail Online

Sacked NRL 360 host Paul Kent reveals he has been suffering from Asperger's syndrome for almost a decade

Sacked football commentator Paul Kent has privately been dealing with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome for almost a decade, according to his unfair dismissal claim against News Corp.

Kent lost his jobs co-hosting Fox Sports program NRL 360 and writing columns for the Daily Telegraph after he was filmed four months ago brawling with a stranger outside a Sydney pub.

The 54-year-old has taken the newspaper's publisher Nationwide News Pty Ltd to the Fair Work Commission, alleging he was given the boot without ever getting a chance to explain his conduct.

His claim before the commission states Kent told his employer about nine years ago he suffered from Asperger's syndrome, and that the condition is a disability under the law.

Asperger's syndrome is a 'high-functioning' form of autism disorder which can affect a person's understanding of what is going on around them.

People with Asperger's might have good cognitive and language skills but still experience difficulties with communication and social interaction.

Some might exhibit repetitive behaviour, have an intense focus on one topic to the exclusion of all others, or have trouble interpreting what someone else is thinking.

Kent, who was hired by the Telegraph in 2000, does not appear to have ever written about his Asperger's diagnosis, or discussed it during his years on Fox Sports.

News disputes Kent informed the company of his Asperger's diagnosis in or around 2015 and denies it discriminated against him on the basis of that disability.

Kent was put on a two-year good behaviour bond in July after failing to have an affray charge which stemmed from the street fight dealt with under the Mental Health Act.

Lawyer George Elias had submitted Kent 'punished himself with alcohol' after being wrongly accused of domestic violence offences last year and his employers had offered him 'no help'.

Fox Sports and the Telegraph stood Kent down for seven months while the domestic violence charges - which were all eventually dismissed - made their way through the courts.

Kent was suspended again by both media outlets just hours after video of the April 27 brawl outside the Three Weeds hotel in Sydney's inner-west went viral, three days before police charged him.

In deciding not to record a conviction for the affray, magistrate Jennifer Price took into account that Kent was suffering from major depression and alcohol use disorder at the time of the brawl.

Kent's application before the Fair Work Commission was lodged on June 18, two weeks before the affray charge was finalised in court.

He has labelled his sacking by News a 'sham' in that document, accusing the company of multiple breaches of employment law.

Kent alleges News 'acted in a way that was arbitrary, capricious [and] unreasonable' by dismissing him on May 30, five weeks before the street fight was dealt with in court.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/n...reet-fight-pub-NRL-360-Fox-Gorden-Tallis.html
His Fair Work Commission application states Kent's role in the altercation did not justify instant dismissal and he was not given an opportunity to explain what occurred.

Kent says he advised News he was unfit for work and receiving mental health treatment when the company asked him on May 23 to show cause why his employment should not be terminated.

According to Kent, his sacking can be traced back to when he was wrongly accused of attacking his former partner Lucy Kennedy at his Lilyfield home on May 12 last year.

Kent pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and choking a person without consent and all charges were dismissed in December at Downing Centre Local Court.

In his Fair Work Commission claim, Kent states he was not paid by News while stood down from May 14 until January 7 - almost a month after he was cleared of the charges.

Kent says his sacking was 'concocted' by News after he objected to the company's actions including its treatment of him while suspended over the domestic violence allegations.

His claim states during the time Kent was stood down News had 'failed to take reasonable steps and adjustments in relation to [Kent's] disabilities, including his Asperger's syndrome'.

That alleged failure had led to a deterioration in Kent's mental health.

Kent further says the stand-down direction by News and public statements it made about the domestic violence charges led to him being subjected to 'significant online and verbal abuse'.

That abuse included repeated references to Kent being a 'woman basher' and 'rapist' and people telling him they wanted him to die.

The journalist also claimed publicity over the domestic violence charges for what happened on the night he encountered Tamer Uzun outside the Three Weeds when that matter went to court.

Kent had downed 21 schooners in an 11-hour session with mates at the nearby Sackville Hotel and was walking home to Lilyfield when he ran into Uzun, who had been dining at Totti's restaurant.

Believing Uzun had 's*** talked' him with a reference to the domestic violence charges, Kent challenged the 35-year-old and called him a 'dog head'.

Verbal abuse between the pair escalated into an exchange of wild blows which finished with Kent landing head-first in a gutter.

Kent's Fair Work Commission application states he suffered physical injuries including broken ribs and was later placed in the care of a psychiatrist.

News denies each alleged contravention of workplace laws and maintains it was entitled to summarily sack Kent under its employees' enterprise agreement for 'conduct that justifies instant dismissal'.

A letter from the company's general manager of employee relations, Andrew Biocca, sent to Kent on May 30 stated he had initiated a physical altercation in a public place 'whilst heavily intoxicated'.

The letter described Kent as 'an aggressor and instigator of the altercation' and cited him calling Uzun a 'weak c***', 'dog head' and 'f***ing dog'.

Mr Biocca also noted Kent had removed his watch and resisted attempts to placate him before the fight, which had attracted significant media attention.

News considered Kent's behaviour was 'especially serious in its character and consequences for the reputation of [the company]' due to his 'unique public profile'.

It also disputed Kent was dismissed for being absent from work due to illness or injury and denied it was responsible for any abuse he had suffered.

News states it paid Kent his salary while he was stood down over the domestic violence allegations and he had taken long service and annual leave leave for most of that time.

Kent is seeking payment of all entitlements he says he is owed from May 14, 2023 to January 7, 2024, as well as reinstatement of leave used during that time.

He also wants compensation for deterioration of his mental health 'due to a failure to make reasonable adjustments in relation to his disabilities' and for 'pain, suffering, humiliation and stress'.

Tamer Uzun has pleaded not guilty to affray in relation to the altercation with Kent and is seeking to have the charge withdrawn. He is due back in court next month.

Hmmmmm Asperger's syndrome aye, in the old days, we used to called that "being an asshole " everything has a diagnosis these days.

 

[Kaz]

Hmmmmm Asperger's syndrome aye, in the old days, we used to called that "being an asshole " .

Lot of Asperger's syndrome suffers on here.

 

[chisdog]

How’s the tree doing?

got cut down in it's prime.

 

[CroydonDog]

Still undefeated.

Jake Paul might like to fight it.

 

[SexBomb]

Hmmmmm Asperger's syndrome aye, in the old days, we used to called that "being an asshole " everything has a diagnosis these days.

It's disappointing to read that attitude on this site.
Are you equally dismissive of other mental health issues too?
Have you considered attitudes like that over mental health issues, only exasperate the situation for the sufferer and those around them, as they feel alienated/isolated/unsupported etcetera?
Maybe more support for those struggling where you aren't would enable a better outcome for everyone.

 

[Moedogg]

It's disappointing to read that attitude on this site.
Are you equally dismissive of other mental health issues too?
Have you considered attitudes like that over mental health issues, only exasperate the situation for the sufferer and those around them, as they feel alienated/isolated/unsupported etcetera?
Maybe more support for those struggling where you aren't would enable a better outcome for everyone.

I apologize, I didn't mean any offense to anyone on here who suffers from mental illness or has loved ones that do. I was just taking the piss at Paul Kent's expense but you're 100% correct, need to be better.

 

[Gubanaculum]

I think they misread the diagnosis its actually Aspersion syndrome.....

 

[Marki]

It's disappointing to read that attitude on this site.
Are you equally dismissive of other mental health issues too?
Have you considered attitudes like that over mental health issues, only exasperate the situation for the sufferer and those around them, as they feel alienated/isolated/unsupported etcetera?
Maybe more support for those struggling where you aren't would enable a better outcome for everyone.

Sorry ....had to laugh.
We've seen the modern day approach of how to deal with these issues and it aint working any better than it was 50years ago...

If anything.... there are more and more cases nowdays coz it's easier and convenient to just call yourself a "sufferer of mental health"

 

[SexBomb]

Sorry ....had to laugh.
We've seen the modern day approach of how to deal with these issues and it aint working any better than it was 50years ago...

If anything.... there are more and more cases nowdays coz it's easier and convenient to just call yourself a "sufferer of mental health"

Only a generation ago, rape was swept under the rug, as it was socially unpalatable to process.
Shit takes time before it is normalised enough for a difference to be made.
Ignorance is not bliss.

 

[Marki]

Only a generation ago, rape was swept under the rug, as it was socially unpalatable to process.
Shit takes time before it is normalised enough for a difference to be made.
Ignorance is not bliss.

If its not so attractive to call yourself a sufferer of mental health, the phonies wont bother labelling themselves as such.....

What use to be something that was frowned upon, is all of a sudden "ok". And so people tow that line when it suits them.

I do believe there are people that suffer from various mental health conditions, but i reckon we as society can do much better by not celebrating them.

 

[SexBomb]

If its not so attractive to call yourself a sufferer of mental health, the phonies wont bother labelling themselves as such.....

What use to be something that was frowned upon, is all of a sudden "ok". And so people tow that line when it suits them.

I do believe there are people that suffer from various mental health conditions, but i reckon we as society can do much better by not celebrating them.

That is a good point regarding the celebration.
Generally, genuine people are not seeking a celebration of something that they would rather eradicate permanently from their lives.

 

[GrogDog]

If its not so attractive to call yourself a sufferer of mental health, the phonies wont bother labelling themselves as such.....

What use to be something that was frowned upon, is all of a sudden "ok". And so people tow that line when it suits them.

I do believe there are people that suffer from various mental health conditions, but i reckon we as society can do much better by not celebrating them.

Kind of a weird statement mate. Clearly you haven't experienced any form of mental health issues or depression which is awesome. I do know where you're heading in your statement though. It's like every second Mum at the school takes the opportunity to drop that their kid is "on the spectrum" 5 seconds into a conversation not even relating to that.

Although plenty seem to "celebrate", not sure that's it exactly...but it will do. To me accepting it is part of the coming to terms with it. For me, depression was the thing after me ex cheated on our family, took the kids and destroyed my life. After "Maning up" for about a year and slowly falling into the darkness I realised I needed to talk to someone "qualified". Most of it was just validation that what I was thinking and had happened to me was truly fuked and realising there is no justice or fairness in this world. There's just terrible things happening to people everyday! ! I don't know where I would have ended up...but let's just say, I wasn't in a very good place! I talked to a work mate, and he recommended someone to see, luckily as Men, we are/were more open to a convo on the issue. It being frowned upon costs lives. 11 years later it's still there in the background, it never goes away.

So part of it is realising that it's real and learning how to avoid the slide back into it. Years gone by, us men would suffer and alot would end it all. It's still happening. Celebrating it, maybe it's Men trying to show other Men that it's ok to feel and deal with the shite. Paving the way forward for others?

That said, because it can be used to further agenda's, avoid responsibility for actions etc we are seeing this happen...IMO. Which is harmful to the cause if you will. These guarded and protected Primadonna's using it like a party trick are scumbags.

 

[bulldogs fan since birth]

Yes, and also possible; the practitioner explained it to him accurately "this used to be called Aspergers, it is now ASD, you've had it all your life, etc", but he didn't understand it properly. Although if this is the case then he has messed up because in a court case situation you want anything like this properly explained by an expert, not being thrown around inaccurately in the media space. Assuming, of course, you are fair dinkum about pursuing legal options, and not merely trying to control public narrative for your own irrational ego driven reasons.

My son has been diagnosed with Aspergers since he was 14 and the doctors have all told him keep away from alcohol because it only blurres your thinking and sometimes it can lead to violence so Kenty being an adult should have more sense and on the social scene should have known better so I have no sympathy for him

 

[Motorhead]

Kind of a weird statement mate. Clearly you haven't experienced any form of mental health issues or depression which is awesome. I do know where you're heading in your statement though. It's like every second Mum at the school takes the opportunity to drop that their kid is "on the spectrum" 5 seconds into a conversation not even relating to that.

Although plenty seem to "celebrate", not sure that's it exactly...but it will do. To me accepting it is part of the coming to terms with it. For me, depression was the thing after me ex cheated on our family, took the kids and destroyed my life. After "Maning up" for about a year and slowly falling into the darkness I realised I needed to talk to someone "qualified". Most of it was just validation that what I was thinking and had happened to me was truly fuked and realising there is no justice or fairness in this world. There's just terrible things happening to people everyday! ! I don't know where I would have ended up...but let's just say, I wasn't in a very good place! I talked to a work mate, and he recommended someone to see, luckily as Men, we are/were more open to a convo on the issue. It being frowned upon costs lives. 11 years later it's still there in the background, it never goes away.

So part of it is realising that it's real and learning how to avoid the slide back into it. Years gone by, us men would suffer and alot would end it all. It's still happening. Celebrating it, maybe it's Men trying to show other Men that it's ok to feel and deal with the shite. Paving the way forward for others?

That said, because it can be used to further agenda's, avoid responsibility for actions etc we are seeing this happen...IMO. Which is harmful to the cause if you will. These guarded and protected Primadonna's using it like a party trick are scumbags.

That's no good
I hope things are going well for you now.