A former Rugby Union star who strangled his wife has failed a last ditch appeal to have domestic violence charges dropped on mental health grounds.
Brett Sheehan, 40, who played for the Wallabies between 2006 and 2013, pleaded guilty to the assault on his wife Laura at their home in Warriewood, northern Sydney, last October.
Sheehan blamed his high dosage of medication for a mental health issue for his violence, the Daily Telegraph reported.
But in Manly Local Court on Thursday, Magistrate Mark Richardson refused to drop Sheehan’s charges of common assault and intentionally choke person without their consent.
Brett Sheehan, 40, who played seven tests for the Wallabies between 2006 and 2013, pleaded guilty to the assault on his wife Laura at their home in Warriewood, northern Sydney, last year
Court facts read Sheehan grabbed his wife (right) with both hands around the throat and began to strangle her to the point she was struggling to breath
Sheehan’s lawyer Michael Croke argued he ‘lost control’ after an ‘unfortunate’ increase in his medication.
Instead, Mr Richardson ordered New South Wales Community Corrections to prepare a full sentence assessment report for the former Wallaby, before his sentencing on April 22.
The court heard the couple were in their bedroom last October at about 9pm when Sheehan found a conversation between Laura and her sister on her laptop.
He then started yelling at her, and the pair argued about relationship issues and an agreement to separate.
Sheehan got on top of his wife, who was lying down on their bed, and straddled her.
Sheehan played seven tests for the Wallabies between 2006 and 2013, as well as 43 games for the NSW Waratahs between 2006 and 2009
‘(Sheehan) then grabbed (his wife) with both hands around the throat and began to strangle the victim to the point the victim was struggling to breath,’ court facts read.
He choked her for ‘less than 30 seconds’ while yelling ‘I hate you’.
The football star then took his wife’s mobile phone and ran down the stairs, but she threatened to call their neighbours if he didn’t give it back.
After being handed her phone back, Mrs Sheehan made her way upstairs before she was pushed up against a window.
She screamed ‘help’ and called police.
While waiting for officers to arrive, Mrs Sheehan locked herself in the couple’s bathroom while Mr Sheehan tried to get through the door.
When police arrieved they found Sheehan in his car before taking him to Northern Beaches Hospital for a mental health assessment.
Magistrate Richardson said Sheehan’s attack was ‘far too serious an offence to be dealt with other than in accordance with the law’.
Sheehan played 43 games for the NSW Waratahs between 2006 and 2009, before he moved to Perth and met Laura in 2010.
The magistrate said Sheehan’s attack was ‘far too serious an offence to be dealt with other than in accordance with the law’
Source: dailymail UK
