KEY POINTS:
Doug Howlett's lawyer is "optimistic" the disgraced All Black will escape prosecution over the night of "tomfoolery" which has blotted his career.
Howlett awaits a decision from London police after being arrested on suspicion of damaging two vehicles after a night out with a group of people, understood to include several Australian international players, at the Heathrow Hilton hotel.
But lawyer David Jones hopes Howlett's behaviour will be seen by police as stupid rather than malicious and that he will escape a punishment and be let off with a caution.
Mr Jones, who had just arrived in England for a family holiday when he got the call that Howlett needed his help, believes the incident has been blown out of proportion.
He hopes the police will take a sensible view of the denouement to the night out.
"If they look at it sensibly it was boys out drinking being silly, doing things they normally wouldn't do," he said.
"There was nothing malicious," Mr Jones told the Weekend Herald yesterday. "It was tomfoolery, as simple as that."
Howlett was "absolutely flattened" by what had happened, he said.
On Tuesday night, the try-scoring record holder and a group of others, understood to have included several Wallabies, also preparing to head home after their quarter-final loss to England, met for drinks at the hotel.
It is alleged Howlett damaged two cars near the hotel before being arrested and released by police.
Mr Jones, who also counts former All Black Carlos Spencer and All Black coach Graham Henry among a large list of sporting clients, was with Howlett yesterday.
But he said the 29-year-old, who is being represented by a British solicitor, did not want to talk again on the night out which ended on a sour note.
"He feels he's said all that needs to be said," Mr Jones said.
"He has done everything he had to do in terms of fronting up. He's embarrassed, disappointed and he wants to move on."
Several aspects of the night remain cloudy.
Among them are claims that the size of the bar bill, reported to be about $33,000, has been significantly inflated.
It is believed CCTV footage captured Howlett at a late stage in the night. However, it is not clear whether the film was of the alleged incident or shortly before or afterwards.
A source said the owner of one of the two damaged cars has been contacted and is relaxed about what happened and thought to be happy to let the issue pass, subject to costs of repairs being met.
The other had not been spoken to by yesterday.
Howlett is due to join Irish club Munster at the start of next year. Munster has confirmed the incident changes nothing from their perspective and they are looking forward to Howlett's arrival.
The New Zealand Rugby Union have said they are to investigate the incident, which happened as Henry was proudly describing the All Blacks as "marvellous role models for this country".
"I'm very proud of how they conduct themselves as people."
