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http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/bu...ng-a-taxi-driver/story-fndujljl-1226972364920Bulldogs player Reni Maitua in court accused of assaulting a taxi driver
8 minutes ago June 30, 2014 2:51PM
Reni Maitua is charged with assaulting a 52 year-old taxi driver who picked him up from Darlinghurst in the early hours of the morning. Picture: Justin Lloyd Source: News Corp Australia
IN THE weeks before he allegedly assaulted a taxi driver league star Reni Maitua’s life was unravelling.
A court heard today that in November 2013 —when he is alleged to have assaulted a taxi driver — the NRL player had been plagued by injury, stripped of the Eels captaincy and then sacked by the club, was left by his partner of 13 years, and faced the real prospect his sporting career was over.
The 32-year-old had also been drinking heavily and was heading home after a night out in Kings Cross when police allege the assault occurred.
Maitua is seeking to have his assault charge handled under mental health legislation which would prevent a conviction being entered, if the case was proven, which would allow him to play overseas.
Mr Eid told the court Maitua was “unquestionably suffering a mental illness at the time” and provided submissions from doctors who examined him who found he had a family history of suicide and a predispisition to mood disorders.
A court heard Maitua’s life was unravelling in the lead-up to the alleged assault. Pictur
A court heard Maitua’s life was unravelling in the lead-up to the alleged assault. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
His battle with depression began a long time before the incident and he had previously tried to commit suicide.
Mr Eid said it was the medical advice was his client had a biological and psychological “adversity” to overcome.
Since the incident Maitua rehabilitation had attended counselling sessions and hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol in eight months.
Mr Eid said the Canterbury Bulldogs, Maitua’s new club, had “done the right thing by him” and whose support was important to his wellbeing.
“Football is a critical part of his rehabilitation.”
It was a credit to Maitua that he was once again playing first grade football and was now playing for a team “higher up the ladder” than the one who “didn’t want him”.
In terms of the incident itself, Mr Eid said there were inconsistencies with the evidence of the taxi driver who first gave police a statement after the alleged assault and then again after CCTV footage was obtained.
The court heard the footage did not show the driver being pushed against the shoulder, as had been alleged, and questioned why a driver of 20 years experience would not have activated the panic button if he was afraid.
The driver has told police he was fearful which relates directly to a second charge against Maitua that he intimidated the driver.
But Mr Eid argued the driver was more concerned with not being paid.
“His first words to the 000 caller was “I’m a cabbie and someone is not going to pay me.”
Police prosecutor Rick Mansley said the behaviour on the night related more to the “abnormal” level of alcohol consumption by Maitua than his mental illness.
He said the level of drunkenness — combined with the loss of the captaincy, his relationship ending and a bleak playing future — were factors that fuelled the assault and not the mental illness.
“He is an intelligent, highly paid sportsman who is capable of behaving ...”
It was the prosecution case alcohol and other factors played a major role in the alleged assault while the depression played a minor one, he said.
He pointed to the fact Maitua had been trouble free the entire time he hadn’t drunk alcohol as evidence that Maitua was well behaved when sober.
“This sort of incident would not, or will not, occur.”
Mr Mansley also rejected defence claims the CCTV footage cleared Maitua of wrongdoing.
The footage was not perfect but it actually “supported what the taxi driver said”.
Mr Mansley used a tweet sent by Maitua after the incident as proof of what occurred because the player apologised for what happened — but did not deny it.
Originally published as Inside footy star’s taxi meltdown
I hope he gets off this as he was clearly mentally ill at the time and he seems to be doing so much better now
