Alcoholic All Blacks star admits bashing his wife and slapping her so hard she needed three days off work – but he won’t face jail
- Former All Blacks player Carl Hayman has pleaded guilty to domestic violence
- Hayman faced a French court on multiple charges of domestic violence
- He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four-month suspended jail sentence
A former All Blacks rugby union star has pleaded guilty to domestic assault and admitted to having a drinking problem in a French court.
Carl Hayman, 39, faced Pau Criminal Court, in the south west of France, charged with several counts of domestic violence against his wife, former TVNZ presenter Natalie Crook, between 2016 and 2018, French sports publication L’Equipe reported.
In one of the incidents, Hayman slapped his wife so hard she had to take three days off work.
He also admitted that he suffered from a heavy drinking problem at the end of his rugby union career and said his actions were ‘inexcusable’.
Former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman (pictured) pleaded guilty to domestic assault against his wife in a French court as he was given a four month suspended jail sentence
His lawyer, Christophe Arcaute, pointed out his client was aware of the damage he had done, noting it was rare for people in his situation to be so aware of their wrongdoing.
‘To recognise that he’s an alcoholic, to admit his weaknesses in this particular environment, that doesn’t happen, he is aware that the facts are serious. He is teetotal now,’ Mr Arcaute said.
As well as charges of physical violence against his wife, Hayman was also charged with nuisance calls, insults and psychological damage.
He was sentenced to a four month suspended jail sentence.
Hayman and his wife Natalie Crook have since separated.
The former prop played 45 test matches for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2007 before moving to French club Toulon in 2010 and retiring in 2015.
He also took up a job as the forwards coach for French club Pau between 2016 and 2019, before he was stood down in January.
He is planning on moving back to New Zealand while continuing his work with a number of charities.
The former rugby union prop is planning on moving back to New Zealand while continuing his work with a number of charities