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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies criticised by judge | Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies criticised by judge |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A judge has criticised two Wales rugby stars after they did not turn up at court to give evidence against a man accused of assaulting them. | A judge has criticised two Wales rugby stars after they did not turn up at court to give evidence against a man accused of assaulting them. |
| Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies were involved in "important training," Cardiff Magistrates Court heard. | Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies were involved in "important training," Cardiff Magistrates Court heard. |
| But District Judge John Charles said that wrongly gave the imporession that giving evidence was optional. | But District Judge John Charles said that wrongly gave the imporession that giving evidence was optional. |
| Daniel Richards, 20, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, was formally cleared of actual bodily harm and common assault. | Daniel Richards, 20, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, was formally cleared of actual bodily harm and common assault. |
| British Lion and Cardiff Blues centre, Roberts, 24, was on a night out in Cardiff in February this year with fellow Wales player Davies when the pair were allegedly attacked. | British Lion and Cardiff Blues centre, Roberts, 24, was on a night out in Cardiff in February this year with fellow Wales player Davies when the pair were allegedly attacked. |
| Roberts was left with a cut lip following the incident in Greyfriars Road. | Roberts was left with a cut lip following the incident in Greyfriars Road. |
| Davies is in the Wales squad to face the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. Roberts is being rested. | |
| 'Extremely unsatisfactory' | 'Extremely unsatisfactory' |
| Anne Mead, prosecuting, said: "The people concerned are international rugby players and are involved in what's deemed to be important training for their World Cup participation. | Anne Mead, prosecuting, said: "The people concerned are international rugby players and are involved in what's deemed to be important training for their World Cup participation. |
| "Consideration was given to the possibility of issuing summons to secure their attendance but this was not considered appropriate." | "Consideration was given to the possibility of issuing summons to secure their attendance but this was not considered appropriate." |
| The court was told the Crown Prosecution Service case against Mr Richards could not go ahead without the two witnesses. | The court was told the Crown Prosecution Service case against Mr Richards could not go ahead without the two witnesses. |
| Judge Charles asked: "What are these training requirements that take precedent over their public duty to give evidence?" | Judge Charles asked: "What are these training requirements that take precedent over their public duty to give evidence?" |
| He said: "This is extremely unsatisfactory and it gives the wrong impression for the public at large. | He said: "This is extremely unsatisfactory and it gives the wrong impression for the public at large. |
| "It is extremely inconvenient for the two witnesses not to attend court." | "It is extremely inconvenient for the two witnesses not to attend court." |
| Angelo Gooden, defending, said: "Their reluctance, not inability to attend court is unacceptable. | Angelo Gooden, defending, said: "Their reluctance, not inability to attend court is unacceptable. |
| "Their reason not to attend because they are too busy at their place of work, albeit international rugby, is not good enough." | "Their reason not to attend because they are too busy at their place of work, albeit international rugby, is not good enough." |