the_crusader
I'm a big blob of LARD
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Second chance: jailed for kicking pregnant ex-girlfriend in stomach, Metcalf gets to star again in NRL
MORE than seven years after committing a ''disgusting and abhorrent'' crime that appeared to have ended a career that showed its promise when he became the Warriors' youngest ever first-grade player, Shaun Metcalf has been given a second chance.
The 23-year-old centre, who was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 2004 after he and teammates Geoffrey Ruaporo and Kyle Donovan lured his then 15-year-old former girlfriend to a park where she was repeatedly kicked in the stomach in an attempt to cause a miscarriage, this week joined the Warriors' full-time squad after signing a two-year NRL contract.
The deal could mean Metcalf plays for the Warriors as early as next week.
As a 16-year-old, Metcalf scored two tries in a pre-season trial against St George Illawarra in Hamilton in 2004 after being given an NRL debut by coach Daniel Anderson, who provided a character reference at his trial.
Social justice advocate and author Celia Lashlie believes that Metcalf, who fought his way back into league after leaving jail, and has had a travel ban to Australia lifted, can achieve much more.
''If he has come to truly understand the magnitude of what he did, he has the potential to become an extraordinary man,'' said Lashlie, who recommended in 2005 the NZRL allow him to resume playing as it would help him to rehabilitate. ''I think he has the capacity to lead the way out and be an extraordinary role model who has learnt from his mistake.
''We can all get caught up in the emotional image of young men booting a young woman in the stomach to cause her to abort her baby, but these were two young people … she got pregnant, he was way out of his depth, and he did a really cruel and dumb thing.
''He was caught in the moment, and what he did was the equivalent of a young man putting a noose around his neck because his girlfriend tossed him out. He has to be allowed to move forward and put his life together, and I think the ability of the NRL and the Warriors to take this young man in and help him do that is role modelling and something they should get credit for.''
However, the victim, who gave birth to a baby girl four months later, and her family are unlikely to feel the same way. They objected to Metcalf being released to home detention after five months in Wellington's Rimutaka Prison and the NZRL's decision to let him return to the game.
''I went and met them because I wanted them to hear the decision first-hand, and for me it was a truly moving experience to see this beautiful little baby,'' former NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson said. ''They didn't agree, they didn't think he should be allowed to play again, and I could understand that. What he did was disgusting and abhorrent but you don't get life for murder, and I consulted a lot of experts who all said that the best thing for the boy in terms of his rehabilitation was to get back into sport.''
Metcalf has played for a number of clubs in New Zealand since his release and been a regular member of the Vulcans, but until Australian immigration lifted his entry ban he thought his dream of an NRL career was over.
"I'm not proud of my past, and I never will be,'' said Metcalf, who has six-year-old twins with his long-time partner. ''I can't do anything about that now but what I can do something about, and what I've been trying to do ever since, is to rebuild my life and get it back on track.''
Pearson said he had kept a close eye on Metcalf's rehabilitation.
''He has shown incredible remorse over the years,'' he said. ''Even now - eight years later - he is always saying what a a terrible thing he did, and if he could take it back he would. It doesn't excuse what he did, but if the game can put a young kid like him back on the right path that has got to be a massive achievement.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...gain-in-nrl-20110405-1d2yd.html#ixzz1kpGVWh6U
what this grub did was far worse than anything Carney ever did
MORE than seven years after committing a ''disgusting and abhorrent'' crime that appeared to have ended a career that showed its promise when he became the Warriors' youngest ever first-grade player, Shaun Metcalf has been given a second chance.
The 23-year-old centre, who was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 2004 after he and teammates Geoffrey Ruaporo and Kyle Donovan lured his then 15-year-old former girlfriend to a park where she was repeatedly kicked in the stomach in an attempt to cause a miscarriage, this week joined the Warriors' full-time squad after signing a two-year NRL contract.
The deal could mean Metcalf plays for the Warriors as early as next week.
As a 16-year-old, Metcalf scored two tries in a pre-season trial against St George Illawarra in Hamilton in 2004 after being given an NRL debut by coach Daniel Anderson, who provided a character reference at his trial.
Social justice advocate and author Celia Lashlie believes that Metcalf, who fought his way back into league after leaving jail, and has had a travel ban to Australia lifted, can achieve much more.
''If he has come to truly understand the magnitude of what he did, he has the potential to become an extraordinary man,'' said Lashlie, who recommended in 2005 the NZRL allow him to resume playing as it would help him to rehabilitate. ''I think he has the capacity to lead the way out and be an extraordinary role model who has learnt from his mistake.
''We can all get caught up in the emotional image of young men booting a young woman in the stomach to cause her to abort her baby, but these were two young people … she got pregnant, he was way out of his depth, and he did a really cruel and dumb thing.
''He was caught in the moment, and what he did was the equivalent of a young man putting a noose around his neck because his girlfriend tossed him out. He has to be allowed to move forward and put his life together, and I think the ability of the NRL and the Warriors to take this young man in and help him do that is role modelling and something they should get credit for.''
However, the victim, who gave birth to a baby girl four months later, and her family are unlikely to feel the same way. They objected to Metcalf being released to home detention after five months in Wellington's Rimutaka Prison and the NZRL's decision to let him return to the game.
''I went and met them because I wanted them to hear the decision first-hand, and for me it was a truly moving experience to see this beautiful little baby,'' former NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson said. ''They didn't agree, they didn't think he should be allowed to play again, and I could understand that. What he did was disgusting and abhorrent but you don't get life for murder, and I consulted a lot of experts who all said that the best thing for the boy in terms of his rehabilitation was to get back into sport.''
Metcalf has played for a number of clubs in New Zealand since his release and been a regular member of the Vulcans, but until Australian immigration lifted his entry ban he thought his dream of an NRL career was over.
"I'm not proud of my past, and I never will be,'' said Metcalf, who has six-year-old twins with his long-time partner. ''I can't do anything about that now but what I can do something about, and what I've been trying to do ever since, is to rebuild my life and get it back on track.''
Pearson said he had kept a close eye on Metcalf's rehabilitation.
''He has shown incredible remorse over the years,'' he said. ''Even now - eight years later - he is always saying what a a terrible thing he did, and if he could take it back he would. It doesn't excuse what he did, but if the game can put a young kid like him back on the right path that has got to be a massive achievement.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...gain-in-nrl-20110405-1d2yd.html#ixzz1kpGVWh6U
what this grub did was far worse than anything Carney ever did
