All charges relating to two alleged drunken rampages against former dual-code international footballer Wendell Sailor have been dismissed by a Sydney court under mental health grounds.
In 2024, Sailor was charged with two counts of common assault and other offences after allegedly refusing to leave a licensed premises in Sydney’s CBD.
The former Brisbane Broncos and Wallabies winger remained near Sydney city venue Pappy’s Bar on Erskine St after being refused service due to his conduct.
Sailor was also last year charged with offences after an alleged drunken night at a bar in Wollongong.
The court heard his conduct included “aggressive” behaviour towards a taxi driver and resisting arrest when police were called.
Sailor is now under the care of his doctor as he undergoes medical treatment. (ABC News: Jamie McKinnell)
In Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson said she accepted Sailor’s case fell under Section 14 of the Mental Health Act.
The section allows magistrates to divert defendants with mental health impairments from the criminal justice system.
“After reading the report from his consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Sathish Dayalan, he appeared to be suffering from a major depressive disorder around the time of the offences,” Ms Atkinson said.
“His excessive alcohol use was probably a by-product of his disorder.”
Discharged into doctor’s care
The court heard Sailor has undertaken psychiatric treatment and started therapy since the second alleged incident in Wollongong, starting at the beginning of this year.
The court was told Sailor had already pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the two separate incidents.
Ms Atkinson said she accepted the detailed health plan put forward by his lawyer Adam Houda to deal with his mental health and alcohol issues.
“The applicant [Sailor] has nothing on his criminal record prior to the two incidents,” she said.
Ms Atkinson also noted the death of Sailor’s mother and the end of his relationship.
“I am dismissing the charges and discharging him into the care of his GP to comply with his treatment plan,” she said.