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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading rugby player wins compensation over revenge tackle | Reading rugby player wins compensation over revenge tackle |
| (3 months later) | |
| Dani Czernuszka will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life | Dani Czernuszka will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life |
| A rugby player who sued an opponent over a "revenge" tackle, that left her with a permanent spinal injury, has won a compensation case at the High Court. | A rugby player who sued an opponent over a "revenge" tackle, that left her with a permanent spinal injury, has won a compensation case at the High Court. |
| Reading Sirens flanker Dani Czernuszka is now paraplegic and will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. | Reading Sirens flanker Dani Czernuszka is now paraplegic and will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. |
| The defendant, Bracknell captain Natasha King, vowed to "break her" during the match in 2017, the court heard. | The defendant, Bracknell captain Natasha King, vowed to "break her" during the match in 2017, the court heard. |
| Ms Czernuszka's lawyers said she could expect a payout of about £10m. | Ms Czernuszka's lawyers said she could expect a payout of about £10m. |
| The mother-of-two, then aged 28, was playing her first competitive game when she was injured on 8 October 2017. | The mother-of-two, then aged 28, was playing her first competitive game when she was injured on 8 October 2017. |
| As Reading began to dominate the match, Ms King urged her teammates to "smash the number 7", referring to Ms Czernuszka, the High Court heard. | As Reading began to dominate the match, Ms King urged her teammates to "smash the number 7", referring to Ms Czernuszka, the High Court heard. |
| Towards the end, the defendant was winded and "humiliated" when she tried to tackle the claimant, the court was told. | Towards the end, the defendant was winded and "humiliated" when she tried to tackle the claimant, the court was told. |
| In his ruling, Mr Justice Martin Spencer said Ms King had been "looking for an opportunity to get her revenge on the claimant - the red mist had metaphorically descended". | In his ruling, Mr Justice Martin Spencer said Ms King had been "looking for an opportunity to get her revenge on the claimant - the red mist had metaphorically descended". |
| Ms King, the court heard, announced: "That [swearword] number 7, I'm going to break her." | Ms King, the court heard, announced: "That [swearword] number 7, I'm going to break her." |
| Three minutes later, she executed a "belly flop" throwing her full 16-17 stone (102-108 kg) weight on to Ms Czernuszka, while pulling her legs, the court heard. | Three minutes later, she executed a "belly flop" throwing her full 16-17 stone (102-108 kg) weight on to Ms Czernuszka, while pulling her legs, the court heard. |
| The judge referred to images of the "reckless and dangerous" tackle in his ruling | The judge referred to images of the "reckless and dangerous" tackle in his ruling |
| Mr Justice Spencer continued: "The defendant simply gets up and walks away towards her own try line - she shows no concern for the claimant whatsoever. | Mr Justice Spencer continued: "The defendant simply gets up and walks away towards her own try line - she shows no concern for the claimant whatsoever. |
| "These actions are not those of a responsible rugby player. In my opinion, it was a reckless and dangerous act and fell below an acceptable standard of fair play." | "These actions are not those of a responsible rugby player. In my opinion, it was a reckless and dangerous act and fell below an acceptable standard of fair play." |
| Following the judgement, Ms Czernuszka, said: "I am grateful for today's ruling and to finally put to bed all of the untruths and fabrications surrounding what happened during the game that day. | Following the judgement, Ms Czernuszka, said: "I am grateful for today's ruling and to finally put to bed all of the untruths and fabrications surrounding what happened during the game that day. |
| "Learning to live with my life-changing injuries has been difficult and something I could not have done without the support of my family and close friends. | "Learning to live with my life-changing injuries has been difficult and something I could not have done without the support of my family and close friends. |
| "Sport has always given me great pleasure in life, and I don't blame the game of rugby for what happened that day. | "Sport has always given me great pleasure in life, and I don't blame the game of rugby for what happened that day. |
| "Ultimately, I feel I was let down by improper and poor behaviour from the opposing player, coaching staff and the referee." | "Ultimately, I feel I was let down by improper and poor behaviour from the opposing player, coaching staff and the referee." |
| Her solicitor Damian Horan said: "This case is a timely reminder that a player's actions on the pitch never stay on the pitch and can have catastrophic consequences." | Her solicitor Damian Horan said: "This case is a timely reminder that a player's actions on the pitch never stay on the pitch and can have catastrophic consequences." |
| Ms King has 21 days to seek permission to appeal. | Ms King has 21 days to seek permission to appeal. |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Berkshire | |
| Reading | Reading |
| Back injury | Back injury |
| Bracknell | Bracknell |