RugbyWA Tribunal Hearing Adjourned

[RugbyWA]

RUGBYWA TRIBUNAL HEARING ADJOURNED

A RugbyWA Serious Misconduct Tribunal met tonight to consider the incident involving Matt Henjak and Haig Sare on Sunday 10 February 2008. After the hearing the Tribunal issued the following statement:

The Tribunal met for the first time tonight. The Tribunal consisted of Robert Viol (Retired District Court Judge) as Chairman, Stephen Scott (a senior Legal Practitioner with more than 30 years experience) and Mitch Hardy (Acting CEO of RugbyWA).

Each of the players involved had requested an adjournment of the hearing to enable them to consider the evidence and, if necessary arrange representation. The Tribunal considered this a reasonable request and the hearing has been adjourned until Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 4pm.

The Tribunal considered whether the players should be stood down pending the determination of the complaints. The Tribunal decided that natural justice required that the players should not be stood down. The Tribunal was concerned that standing down the players could suggest some prejudgement of the matter by the Tribunal. In support of that decision, the Tribunal had regard to the ARU Citing Procedures for Domestic Competitions which permit a cited player to continue to play until the date of hearing.

Until the conclusion of the hearing, the Tribunal considers that it would be inappropriate for RugbyWA to make any further comments on the matter.

RugbyWA acknowledged the Tribunal’s determination and consistent with the Tribunal’s recommendation, no further comments will be made on the matter until the hearing is completed.

[JediKnight]

Nice work....hold a quick Tribunal (to keep the ARU happy), adjourn it having paid due attention to legal arguments to the date when they were going to hold it anyway!!!

[fulvio sammut]

Now let's see how this has been programmed to play out.

. On the 19th February Henjak's lawyer will seek a two week adjournment because his client is overseas and the lawyer cant get proper instructions. An adjournment will of course be granted in the interests of natural justice. That takes us through to the 4th March.

On the 4th of March Henjak's lawyer seeks a futher adjournment as a medical report is not yet available as to Sare's condition (Jehna's dad will see to that). Another two weeks adjournment in the interests of natural justice (tribunal must have all the evidence ( crucial that it knows which side of the jaw was struck). That takes us to 18 th March.

18th March adjournment requested for futher three weeks as there is an unavailable surprise witness: a Kiwi bouncer who saw the whole thing and is vital to Henjak's defence has returned to New Zealand (apparently pissed off with the only job Nedlands could get him). Natural justice requires that his evidence is obtained.That takes us through to the 8th April.

8th April the tribunal is notified by Henjak's lawyer that the Kiwi bouncer is now playing rugby in Uzbekistan (contract sponsored by unknown benefactor from Perth) and can't be contacted (snowed, in all power lines down) Plus new evidence that the Kiwi may have been involved in the incident himself (the words "hey bros what you doin in the ladies?" were overheard by a second star witness named Jessica X). Hearing adjourned for three weeks while investigations are conducted to see if extradition treaty exists with Uzbekistan.Natural Justice requires all avenues be exhausted. That takes us through to 29th April.

29th April tribunal advised Attorney General is still considering whether to approve extradition, hearing adjourned for two weeks to 13th May.

13th May Henjak's lawyer drops a bombshell; Henjak has joined most of the other Force players at University Rugby Club and declares that in the interests of natural justice former District Court Judge Rob Viol must disqualify himself as he is a patron, past player and fanatical supporter of Uni. Hearing adjourned three weeks so another eminent emeritus Jurist can be found.

3rd June another bombshell: Henjak is playing social Aussie Rules for Claremont Football club. Stephen Scott must disqualify himself as he is a life member and honorary legal adviser to Claremont. Hearing adjourned to 27th June.

27 June tribunal advised the Super 14 season is over and Henjak is out of contract. He has signed up with the Waratahs for the next three years and the ARU is now insisting that all charges be dropped and enquiries terminated.

Besides, the Sydney Morning Herald has run a three page Expose proving that Henjak has been framed in each and every incident he has been alleged to have been involved in and wasn't there anyway. Growden gives an eye witness report and glowing character reference.

Charges withdrawn. Everybody happy.

Pity about Haig Sare, but with a name like that he probably deserved it.

[Flamethrower]

Sounds like you've done this before fulv

[fulvio sammut]

It's called working within the system...

[James]

Besides, the Sydney Morning Herald has run a three page Expose proving that Henjak has been framed in each and every incident.

Pity about Haig Sare, but with a name like that he probably deserved it.

Not just framed. Framed by Peter O'Meara and John Mitchell who were also exposed (by crack Herald reporting) in a terrorist plot to blow up the Harbour Bridge.

Probably deserved it. Haha.