NRL: Broncos bad boy handed $20,000 fine

James Roberts. Photo / Getty Images

Broncos star James Roberts has been fined $20,000 but escaped suspension over a drunken incident.

Roberts has also been ordered to undergo a wellbeing plan which includes community service on his days off.

His career was in jeopardy after being fined for public nuisance and removed from a Brisbane hotel last week, where he was believed to have abused a female staff member.

However he will instead be free to play in Brisbane's clash with Melbourne on Friday.

The Broncos and NRL integrity unit completed their investigation on Wednesday, with the club opting to stand by the 23-year-old and promising to help keep him on track.

"This will be a total plan for James' development and wellbeing and will have high regard for both the issues of the past and what we are hoping for going into the future," Broncos CEO Paul White said.

"Going back to provide benefit to the community is an appropriate way to acknowledge a breach of community standards."

Roberts' career has been plagued by off-field troubles.

He was released by South Sydney in 2011 after contract breaches, including smashing a taxi window and he was sacked by Penrith in March 2014 for more misbehaviour.

He was thrown a lifeline by Gold Coast later in 2014 and appeared to have turned his career around, becoming one of the Titans' best players.

But a contract bungle by the club resulted in him leaving to join Brisbane for the 2016 campaign.

- AAP