Former NRL star John Hopoate charged with threatening Crows Nest shop owner

Former NRL player and boxer John Hopoate is behind bars after he allegedly threatened a business owner in Sydney's North Shore. Photo / Getty Images.

Former NRL player and boxer John Hopoate is behind bars after he allegedly threatened a business owner in Sydney's North Shore.

He allegedly made a "number of threats" to a Crows Nest business owner and stole a beverage from the premises on Wednesday afternoon, police say.

A NSW Police spokesman said a 42-year-old man went to the Manly Police Station on Thursday afternoon where he was charged with contravening an Apprehended Personal Violence Order, intimidation and stealing.

He was refused police bail and was to face Manly Local Court on Friday. Hopoate, who played for Manly, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles, courted controversy during his 13-year, 209-game, first-grade rugby league career, during which he represented Australia, NSW and Tonga.

Hopoate retired from rugby league in 2005 after incurring a 17-match ban for a tackle on Keith Galloway. Four years before that he copped a 12-match ban for poking opposition players up the backside.

Hopoate retired from rugby league in 2005. Four years before that he copped a 12-match ban for poking opposition players up the backside. Photo / YouTube.

Hopoate yesterday handed himself into Manly police over the incident at the Crows Nest fruit shop, and has since been charged with contravening an apprehended personal violence order, intimidation and stealing.

It will be alleged threats were made to the business owner during a confrontation on Wednesday, and that a drink was taken from the premises.

Hopoate pleaded guilty to assaulting an employee of the same fruit shop earlier this year, the Today Show has reported.

The former Sea Eagles star has been refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court today.