http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...232ea18012178222c7649f74e1ebfe78?from=htc_rss
STRIFE-prone Brisbane Bronco James Roberts is again in hot water over claims he manhandled a woman at a Gold Coast nightclub.
Concerned Broncos officials have launched an investigation into claims Roberts pulled the woman’s hair so hard she was left with a sore neck. He was then reportedly thrown out of the club by bouncers.
Roberts, who recently completed a stint in a Thai rehab clinic for alcohol problems, was already on his last warning with Brisbane and his contract could be torn up if the allegations are correct.
But the player dubbed “The Jet’’ for his lightning speed says he has no knowledge of the incident at Love Nightlife at Broadbeach early on Sunday morning.
Roberts was on the Gold Coast at the weekend for the Magic Millions races.
The 23-year-old complainant, who works in a Gold Coast law firm, told
The Courier-Mail she was standing in the club with friends about 1am when Roberts grabbed her from behind.
“He came up from behind me and pulled my hair quite hard and yanked my head back,” said the woman, who did not want to be named. “It was pretty forceful and quite a shock as I was just standing there and hadn’t even seen him or spoken to him.
“I had a sore neck all day yesterday. After it happened, he just walked off straight away.
“Two guys with me knew who he was and went after him … security found him and kicked him out.”
James Roberts’ Broncos contract could be torn up if the allegations are correct. Pic: Getty Images
The woman, who has long blonde hair, said one bouncer comforted her while others went to find Roberts and escort him out.
“It wasn’t very nice, especially as I didn’t do anything to provoke it,” she said.
“It’s pretty strange and upsetting and something you don’t expect to happen.”
Broncos chief executive Paul White said he was unaware of the allegations but the club was investigating.
He said the club was eager to speak with the woman involved, although she was reluctant to make a formal complaint.
Roberts’ manager, Jeremy Donovan, said he had spoken to his client, who “knows nothing about it’’.
The Courier-Mail tried repeatedly to contact Love Nightlife yesterday without success.
It is the latest alleged incident involving Roberts after he was thrown out of Brisbane’s Normanby Hotel last August after allegedly abusing a female staffer.
Twice sacked by former clubs Penrith and Souths, there were fears Roberts would be sacked by the Broncos, who recruited him last season following his contract forgery saga at the Gold Coast Titans.
He was spared the axe but was fined $20,000 by the Broncos and ordered to undergo counselling and take part in community service.
Roberts later checked into a Thai rehab facility to help him overcome issues including alcohol problems.
Only days ago, he spoke of his desire to have a “much better” 2017 at the Broncos.
