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Despite Everything, I Still Love My Wife
Sun Herald
Sunday June 2, 2002
By DANNY WEIDLER
SOUTH Sydney football manager Sean Garlick declared his love for his wife Samantha yesterday as he broke his silence about the court case that threatened to destroy his marriage.
The Garlicks' private life was made public last week when the court was told about a night of alleged swinging parties, drug use and infidelity involving friends and relatives of the Garlick family, which finished with Sean becoming involved in a scuffle at a family member's home.
``None of this should have hit the courts," Mr Garlick said. ``It was a family squabble that was made public because of some jealous people.
``They'd like to have destroyed me out of this. They told me as much, saying they were looking forward to taking over my business when the case has finished. But now that it is through, I can only see good things for me, Sam and our family.
``Sure it has been a trying time, for both Sam and me, but we've come through OK. Do I still love her? Yeah, of course I do.
``She made a mistake and from the moment it happened she has been apologetic and has been trying to set things right.
``We separated for a couple of months, but we have been to counselling and we are coming through it.
``A great sign in my eyes was that she went to court and told the truth about what happened. That was the sign of her love for me. She could have decided to hide from it all. But she was strong, she was supportive and I admire and appreciate that.
``I'm living back at home and now I'll be by Sam's side. She needs my support right now. She has done it pretty tough in recent months."
Mr Garlick, a former senior police constable, was in an upbeat mood at his Mascot pie shop yesterday after coming through a week where his personal life, the subject of malicious gossip and innuendo for the past 12 months, was dissected in a courtroom.
In a case that had the rugby league community talking, allegations of drug use, infidelity and swinging parties were heard in Downing Centre Local Court.
Mr Garlick and his brother Nathan had charges dismissed after being accused of malicious damage and assault on Jamie Kilorn, husband of their cousin Shannon Kilorn, who Mr Garlick employed at his shop.
The court was told Samantha Garlick was kissing a man in a backyard spa.
There were four others there the Kilorns, Mathew Wood and Sean Dodds.
Mr Garlick learned of his wife's whereabouts because her mobile phone accidentally activated in her handbag and he overheard her talking about the spa party.
He went to the Kilorns' Pagewood home where he covertly watched the activity for 2 1/2 hours. The next day Mr Garlick and his brother Nathan went to the Kilorns' home to sack their cousin Shannon and to take issue with Jamie.
A scuffle erupted involving an axe.
Mr Garlick said: ``Look, we've come through this year-long ordeal and we've come through it together.
``What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
``It wasn't a walk in the park and our reputations have been damaged.
``There was a campaign launched against us. Phone calls were made to newspapers, television stations, radio stations and posters were even put up in the local area giving a false impression of what had happened.
``I was confident from the outset that this campaign wouldn't work and the truth would come out.
``There were elements...who were jealous of my standing in the community and because I'd made a success of my life in football and in business with my pie shops.
``They always had an issue with me because I was a policeman. But if this is the worst thing that happens to us in our lives, we'll have lived a pretty good life.
``Other people have to deal with far more tragic and heartbreaking situations. I saw those kind of things in my days as a policeman."
Mr Garlick is hoping that his relationship with Samantha can become even stronger.
``I'm confident that she didn't do the wrong thing by me," he said.
``Couples can come through these kind of things and grow stronger.
``We've talked to our kids about things, what they may encounter in the playground, and we know we can handle things."
Mr Garlick said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received.
South Sydney rugby league club had said it was right behind him, he said.
``I've also received plenty of calls from footballers and friends in the police force and in the media. The calls have been in their hundreds and I'd like to thank all those people."
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