Oct 14, 2008 6:22 pm US/Eastern
Fmr. Aussie Football Star Sentenced In Miami
2 Years Probation & 50 Hours Community Service
Must Attend Alcohol & Anger Management Classes
Must Pay $500 To Police Charity
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Former Australian football star Wayne Carey has avoided a U.S. jail sentence after he pled guilty to two felony counts of battery on Miami police officers and one count of resisting arrest after a brawl last year in an upscale Miami hotel.
In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed Carey should serve 50 hours of community service, attend alcohol and anger management classes, serve two years probation and pay $500 to the Dade County Police Benevolent Association Love Fund. He also agreed to write letters of apology to the officers involved.
It could have been much worse; the maximum penalty could have been 15 years in a state prison. Outside the court, Carey expressed remorse. "I'm apologetic that the whole incident occurred," he said, "I'm not glad that it's over."
The brawl took place last October 27th at Miami's Mandarin Oriental Hotel when the former Kangaroos star got into a fight with his girlfriend, supermodel Kate Neilsen in the hotel's restaurant. During the spat Carey reportedly hit Neilsen in the mouth with a wine glass.
When police arrived and tried to talk with Carey he allegedly kicked and elbowed the officers.
Neilsen, who declined to press assault charges, was with Carey in court Tuesday morning. She echoed Carey's sentiments, "I'm glad it's all over."
Carey reportedly has had a bad history with alcohol. It is thought to have helped fuel an affair he had with his team's captain's wife. Carey also was supposedly under the influence when he allegedly attacked some Australian police officers. Charges are still pending in that case.
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