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Rugby League

Warriors prop Paleaaesina pleads guilty to inflicting GBH

19/05/2008

Wigan Warriors star Iafeta Paleaaesina has pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on a bus driver in a drunken brawl.

The 17-stone prop gave James Campbell a broken jaw at Wigan North Western railway station last October.

A trial had been due to start today but Paleaaesina changed his plea at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court also heard that on initially making a statement, Mr Campbell wanted to retract his complaint against Paleaaesina on December 1.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and Paleaaesina will appear for sentencing on June 16th at Liverpool Crown Court.

Speaking outside court, the 26-year-old said: "It was one of those things. I regret and I am truly sorry for what I have done.

"I want to thank the club and especially the fans for their support. They have supported me from day one.

"I just want to put it behind me and continue playing rugby."

The assault took place at 5.20am on October 6th in the car park of the railway station, hours after Wigan were dumped out of the Super League play-offs by Leeds.

Paleaaesina had played in the game, which destroyed his side's hopes of reaching the Grand Final.

Paul Becker, the lawyer defending Paleaaesina, said: "He (Campbell) concluded he was drunk at the time and may have appeared threatening or abusive.

"There clearly was a degree of provocation in this case which caused Mr Paleaaesina to behave in the way he did."