The sad demise of an NRL legend: Footy star who once had a million-dollar contract and played for Australia is now on Centrelink and facing time behind bars over his 10th stealing offence in 12 months
- Former NRL star Brett Dallas has been threatened with jail time for stealing
- The 45-year-old appeared in court for his 10th offence in less than one year
- Magistrate adjourned the case so Dallas would book counselling appointment
An NRL star who was once on a seven-figure salary has been threatened with jail time over a string of petty thefts.
Brett Dallas, 45, appeared in Queensland’s Mackay Magistrates Court for his 10th stealing offence in less than one year.
The fallen star – who was known for his speed while playing as a winger for the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Sydney Bears in the 1990s before moving to the UK to continue playing – had a million-dollar contract at the peak of his career.
Dallas has pleaded guilty to three charges which included the theft of a $690 coffee table from a furniture franchise in November last year, Daily Mercury reported.
Brett Dallas (pictured in 2004), 45, appeared in Queensland’s Mackay Magistrates Court for his 10th stealing offence in less than one year
The court heard Dallas told police he took the table for money.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer warned the 45-year-old former star ‘enough is enough’ and something needed to change.
‘The last thing this community or anybody wants is for you to go to prison,’ Magistrate Dwyer said.
Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley proposed community service or probation but the magistrate said he was considering jail time.
‘Unless you can show me that the community is safe. This is your 10th [stealing offence] in less than 12 months,’ Magistrate Dwyer said.
Ms Varley told the court the former NRL star was a single father-of-three, who had no contact with his eldest children but some with his youngest, a nine-month-old.
Dallas has been receiving Centerlink’s disability pension for the last 12 months, she said.
Dallas, who is not yet undertaking counselling, told the court he would be willing to seek the service.
The fallen star – who was known for his speed while playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Sydney Bears in the NRL – had a million-dollar contract at the peak of his career. Dallas is pictured during a QLD Maroons training session in 1995
Magistrate Dwyer decided to adjourn the case so Dallas would book an appointment with Lives Lived Well.
‘I want you to be clear that whether or not I impose a prison sentence … if you co-operate with Lives Lived Well and go through their counselling service, well there’s every reason that I won’t go ahead with that,’ he said.
The case will return to court on January 29 for mention.
Dallas shot to stardom at 18 when he became Queenland’s youngest State of Origin player after breaking into the Canterbury Bulldogs team.
He moved to the North Sydney Bears and spent the latter half of his club career with English club Wigan.
He had represented Australia in the World Cup in 1995.
He also made headlines when he was awarded the Buttercup Sprint Challenge at Botany in early 1993.
Dallas has pleaded guilty to three charges which included the theft of a $690 coffee table from a furniture franchise in November last year. Pictured: Dallas celebrates his second try during the Powergen Challenge Cup Semi Final match between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves at the Halton Stadium on April 18, 2004