THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Willis Meehan to be stood down

[John Corey]

Yep... my understanding is that as soon as 2 persons are involved, you're 'in company' so you're potentially in deeper poo.



Not trying to predict the outcome or assert any legal knowledge or anything, but I had a quick look at the Act and sure... I'd be saying a max of roughly 27 years depending on how the Court goes.

Robbery alone in s 94 of the Crimes ACT 1900 (NSW)... 'Whosoever: robs or assaults with intent to rob any person, or steals any chattel, money, or valuable security from the person of another, shall, except where a greater punishment is provided by this Act, be liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.'

s 96... 'Whosoever commits any offence under section 95, and thereby wounds or inflicts grievous bodily harm on any person, shall be liable to imprisonment for 25 years.'

Those two are already pretty serious, but then you get to s 97:

97 Robbery etc or stopping a mail, being armed or in company
(1) Whosoever, being armed with an offensive weapon, or instrument, or being in company with another person,
robs, or assaults with intent to rob, any person, or
stops any mail, or vehicle, railway train, or person conveying a mail, with intent to rob, or search the same,
shall be liable to imprisonment for twenty years.

I dunno and I'm not going to go predicting Court outcomes...etc. However... 'The 19-year-old man has been charged with robbery in company and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.' If this charge is upheld then it looks like they're going for the double whammy. Potentially 20 years for the s 97 robbery in company... then on top of it, an assault occasioning actual bodily harm. This would probably be under s 59:

59 Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
(1) Whosoever assaults any person, and thereby occasions actual bodily harm, shall be liable to imprisonment for five years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence under this subsection if the person commits an offence under subsection (1) in the company of another person or persons. A person convicted of an offence under this subsection is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

How quickly a promising young athlete can be facing roughly 27 years in prison (okay so probably not 27 years, that's the maximum... however, it's pretty scary!) WTF were you thinking man?!?!?!?

Depends on a lot off things mate. Even who the magistrate is.nbut as you say, it won't be 27yrs android to be honestly won't even be 27 months.

I put many a person before Redfern Court for Robbery in company in the 90s (can be a bag snatch involving two or more where one offender just shoves the person over) and never once did the magistrate send them to do prison time. Most of the time it was a bond or even the old 'rising of the Court' 😣
A certain Redfern magistrate, who's husband was also chairman of the civil liberties movement just didn't believe in jail 😀 . Very frustrating for us.

Sounds like the Roosters have got Willis doing the right things before Court so he can front up and say he has been proactive with his rehab. Can't hurt.
But u still gotta ask why?

[Tommy Smith]

He's clearly a massive ****wit and should be punted immediately.

That's a serious premediated crime.

[Guest]

This guy is not the kind of person we need at our club. Making a social error or messing up with substances is one thing but robbing someone for not much is a whole different story. Seriously think about what kind of loser he must be. He can't even get involved in a more enterprising form of crime? Even if he managed to steal a Rolex or a Tag or similar he would only have been able to pawn it or sell it to another dickhead for not much. I'm normally lenient and forgiving to young people but **** this guy, he has to go.

[BUDDY]

Can someone explain to me why Greg Bird and co. can play pending their Court case, however, Meehan cannot. Had he got done for supplying or possession of drug, surely he'd still be playing like the others.

"Meehan, 19, voluntarily stood down from all Sydney Roosters club commitments"

Pretty much explains it. Probably embarrassed to face his peers.

[Matty_C]

He's clearly a massive ****wit and should be punted immediately.

That's a serious premediated crime.

Agreed.
Get rid of him.

[One Eyed Willy]

Give me a thief over a sex offender any day

[theGman]

He's clearly a massive ****wit and should be punted immediately.

That's a serious premediated crime.

Why doesn't this 19y.o deserve another chance just like Jake Friend?

The reality is this........we flick him and you can bet your left or right there will be fewer than 10 clubs willing to sign him and "rehabilitate" him.
The Knights would be leading the charge because Willis' folks live close by.

[Tommy Smith]

What Jake Friend did was nothing compared to what Meehan is accused of.

Heck, when you put hysteria to one side, Blake Ferguson's crime doesn't even compare to what Meehan has done.

[Tommy Smith]

I also don't think Willis will amount to anything anyway. I reckon his heart is set on boxing. He also appears to lack the necessary drive; the desire and determination to succeed in Rugby League. Which is everything, really.

[roosterproud]

if he gets a conviction he cant fight over seas

[Guest]

Why doesn't this 19y.o deserve another chance just like Jake Friend?

The reality is this........we flick him and you can bet your left or right there will be fewer than 10 clubs willing to sign him and "rehabilitate" him.
The Knights would be leading the charge because Willis' folks live close by.

That is an extremely harsh comparison. Pretty sure Jake has never headbutted someone for a Casio

[theGman]

That is an extremely harsh comparison. Pretty sure Jake has never headbutted someone for a Casio

I love it how the moral do-gooders are quick to judge!!!

Every one has their day in court to get the full story and today was Willis' day.

From what i hear robbery charges dropped. Just assault charges to fight now.

[Guest]

I'm hardly a do-gooder dude. I supported the signing of SBW from the start and was always defensive of those attacking him. I was delighted with what we did with Jake Friend and I was also very pleased that we signed Blake Ferguson. I believe in giving young people chances. What can I say? I'm not a fan of lowlife street-thugs. That is what Meehan has proven himself to be. Yes he is still a young man with a chance to turn his life around but imo his crime is significantly worse than most of the dickhead footballers who get themselves in trouble.

[The Axe]

I love it how the moral do-gooders are quick to judge!!!

Every one has their day in court to get the full story and today was Willis' day.

From what i hear robbery charges dropped. Just assault charges to fight now.

so can Willis play for us? Did he plead one way or the other?

[milanja]

I love it how the moral do-gooders are quick to judge!!!

Every one has their day in court to get the full story and today was Willis' day.

From what i hear robbery charges dropped. Just assault charges to fight now.

I would prefer if it was for robbery and not assault.

Unfortunately i will think of him in the same way i do with bird, auva'a the rest of the beaters if he is charged with assault.