Editorial: Arrogance earns just reward

Russell Packer was sent to jail after a late night assault that happened last November.

I am finding it quite difficult to feel any sympathy for Kiwi rugby league international Russell Packer, who was this week sent to jail for a late night assault in November.

Packer, a former Warrior, had pleaded guilty to assault and failing to leave a venue.

During his sentencing in Sydney, the court heard that he repeatedly punched his 22-year-old victim and stomped on his head, leaving the man unconscious with a fractured eye socket. Earlier he was asked to leave a hotel because he was drunk.

The magistrate Greg Grogan said the assault was cowardly and said the courts were sick of alcohol-related violence. I agree and I also think Packer's attitude is shameful. By all accounts Packer thought he was going to be bailed and had earlier told his father that "everything is sweet" because he had two lawyers.

How wrong was he. Finally we have a judicial officer who has been prepared to stand up to a top sportsman who behaved like a thug and expected to get away with it.

Apparently Packer was so arrogant that he did not even pack any clothes before his court appearance on Monday. But then again Packer does give the impression he thinks he can do what he likes. Remember, he urinated on the field during a Warriors' match in June last year.

Hopefully this sentence makes other top sportsmen realise that while they are required to be aggressive on the field, this sort of behaviour is not acceptable in everyday life.

How many times have we heard of a sports star assaulting someone and then getting off with a discharge or a suspended sentence just because he is famous?

Well, no more. Packer has just been taught a very painful lesson.