Tweet
Former Sydney Roosters star Stanley Waqa says he is relieved and surprised after charges that he wounded his wife with a knife were dismissed on Friday.
The big Fijian-born front-rower, 21, now training with the Cronulla Sharks, was accused of recklessly wounding his wife during an argument at their former home in the eastern Sydney suburb of Randwick in October last year.
Waqa's wife, Bernadette Cava, suffered a cut to her left little finger in the incident.
Waverley Local Court heard Waqa began waving a knife at his wife, who was holding one of their young children, during an argument about cigarettes.
But Waqa told the court he had been "mucking about" and he had had no intention of wounding her.
His wife also told the court the argument was light-hearted and the cut was an accident. She has also defended him during previous hearings.
The magistrate accepted their version of events and dismissed the case.
Speaking after the hearing, Waqa said he intended to focus on his rugby and hoped the judgment would help him secure a contract with the Sharks.
"I'm happy, really happy. I didn't expect this," he told AAP.
"I thought, you know, jail.
"My rugby's been on hold ... Cronulla's given me a lifeline, they'll be happy with this.
"The past couple of months it's just been a burden on my shoulders."
The big Fijian-born front-rower, 21, now training with the Cronulla Sharks, was accused of recklessly wounding his wife during an argument at their former home in the eastern Sydney suburb of Randwick in October last year.
Waqa's wife, Bernadette Cava, suffered a cut to her left little finger in the incident.
Waverley Local Court heard Waqa began waving a knife at his wife, who was holding one of their young children, during an argument about cigarettes.
But Waqa told the court he had been "mucking about" and he had had no intention of wounding her.
His wife also told the court the argument was light-hearted and the cut was an accident. She has also defended him during previous hearings.
The magistrate accepted their version of events and dismissed the case.
Speaking after the hearing, Waqa said he intended to focus on his rugby and hoped the judgment would help him secure a contract with the Sharks.
"I'm happy, really happy. I didn't expect this," he told AAP.
"I thought, you know, jail.
"My rugby's been on hold ... Cronulla's given me a lifeline, they'll be happy with this.
"The past couple of months it's just been a burden on my shoulders."
What is the world coming too
Comment