Anthony Kent Fined And Disqualified For Ten Years

Offences:

GAR 86 (g), 86 (p) and 86 (o)

(1) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Greyhound Racing Club Track did wilfully assault Mr. the Manager of the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association, by punching him in the face with a clenched fist.

(2) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Track did threaten Ms. Christine Gent, a Steward with Greyhound (GRV) by stating ā€œI'm coming back to see youā€. This statement was delivered in an intimidating manner and transpired shortly after Mr. Anthony Kent had assaulted Mr. Troy Harley the Manager of the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association.

(3) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Track disobeyed the lawful direction of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Steward Mr. Ian Taylor in that Mr. Anthony Kent was ordered by Mr. Ian Taylor to have the greyhound ā€œPirate Arcadeā€ vetted and did leave the track without doing so.

(4) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Track used indecent language in an aggravated and repetitive fashion behind the starting boxes during the running of race 1, which in the opinion of the Stewards is improper and constitutes .

(5) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Track used indecent language in an aggravated and repetitive fashion in and around the kennel block prior to the running of race 2, which in the opinion of the Stewards is improper and constitutes misconduct.

(6) Mr. Anthony Kent on the 27 August 2014, at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club Track used indecent language in an aggravated and repetitive fashion in the Stewards room following race 2, which in the opinion of the Stewards is improper and constitutes misconduct.

Report:

The Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the behaviour of Mr. Anthony Kent at the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on Wednesday, 27 August 2014.

During the investigation, Stewards received evidence from registered trainer Mr. Anthony Kent, Mr. Troy Harley (Club Manager), Ms. Christine Gent (Steward) and Mr. Ian Taylor (Steward).

After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Kent with breaches of as indicated in charges (1) to (6) above.

Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules a breach of 86 (g), 86 (p) and 86 (o) constitute Serious Offences.

As a result, on Tuesday, 9 December 2014 this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in the first instance under Greyhound Local Racing Rule 47.3 and Sections 83C(b) and 83M(1) of the Racing Act.

Mr. Anthony Kent failed to appear at the Hearing. The Board entered a plea of ā€˜not guilty' to each of the charges.

Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) and Mr. Ron Matthews (GRV Steward) represented the Stewards Panel. During the Hearing Stewards received evidence from witnesses Mr. Graham Carr, Trainer, Mr. Barry Hiscock, Trainer, Mr. and Mr. Michael Cole, Bendigo GRA employees.

After hearing all the evidence tendered and having regard to GAR 86 (g), 86 (p) and 86 (o), the determined that:

(a) in relation to charge (1), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was disqualified for 5 years;

(b) in relation to charge (2), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was disqualified for 5 years;

(c) in relation to charge (3), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was fined $500;

(d) in relation to charge (4), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was fined $500;

(e) in relation to charge (5), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was fined $500;

(f) in relation to charge (6), Mr. Kent was found guilty as charged and he was fined $500;

The periods of disqualification to be served cumulatively.

In assessing penalty, the Board took into account all the evidence and submissions, including the following matters:

(a) Mr. Kent's failure to attend the hearing;

(b) Mr. Kent's appalling behaviour involving and verbal assaults;

(c) The need to maintain the of greyhound racing;

(d) Prior penalties for similar offences and particularly Mr. Kent's previous offences
which involved improper language and disregard of the rules as to compliance with
direction from the Stewards;

(e) Mr. Kent's complete disregard for the rules of the industry and inappropriate
behaviour including putting his greyhound at risk of significant injury; and

(f) The lack of any evidence of remorse and as to the prospects of rehabilitation.

The Board noted that the Police may take action against Mr. Kent but nonetheless determined to proceed to hear the charges as the issues raised went to industry participation and not criminal liability.

ARG Opinion:

A strong and decisive move here that makes it quite clear that harmful and/or offensive behaviour will not be tolerated in the greyhound racing industry. While there are many passionate people within the sport and there are undoubtably many stressful times, there is no need to resort to physical violence or threats. Regardless of knowing or not knowing the story behind the incident, that behaviour is unnecessary and it was a good move by the board to act with such force.

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Les Keefe
Les Keefe
9 years ago

Hard to argue with that .. Shocking behaviour

Paul Brewer
Paul Brewer
9 years ago

Maybe they should use the 10 yr ban for other things too!

Scott Gunning
Scott Gunning
9 years ago

Should be banned for life. 10 years is getting off easy but I doubt he will be back

Tony Atkins
Tony Atkins
9 years ago

hope they get tough in nsw also…..we dont need these grubs

Ashley Fellowes
Ashley Fellowes
9 years ago

Piss these cheating mongrels off. U know who u are.

Steve Aslan
Steve Aslan
9 years ago

Graeme bate turned out to be the biggest cheat .

Tom Welsh
Tom Welsh
9 years ago

This participant should be fully admonished under criminal law AS WELL. Please do not let him get away with it – this is not a footy field ‘white line fever’ – if he hit an official in footy he’d be gone for life and prosecuted.

Shania Theodor
Shania Theodor
9 years ago

Very happy with this, although life would have been better, I feel sorry for his dogs, he wouldn’t have been very happy with them either :(

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Appalling behaviour and he should be banned for life, we have enough idiots in this wonderful sport of ours as it is and the penalty’s need to be toughed up so bad behaviourĀ is not rewarded.

Kylie hunt
Kylie hunt
9 years ago

Lucky im not in this industry anymore id be band for life to puttun up with all u whinging grubs

Les Keefe
Les Keefe
9 years ago

Hard to argue with that .. Shocking behaviour

Paul Brewer
Paul Brewer
9 years ago

Maybe they should use the 10 yr ban for other things too!

Scott Gunning
Scott Gunning
9 years ago

Should be banned for life. 10 years is getting off easy but I doubt he will be back

Tony Atkins
Tony Atkins
9 years ago

hope they get tough in nsw also…..we dont need these grubs

Ashley Fellowes
Ashley Fellowes
9 years ago

Piss these cheating mongrels off. U know who u are.

Steve Aslan
Steve Aslan
9 years ago

Graeme bate turned out to be the biggest cheat .

Tom Welsh
Tom Welsh
9 years ago

This participant should be fully admonished under criminal law AS WELL. Please do not let him get away with it – this is not a footy field ‘white line fever’ – if he hit an official in footy he’d be gone for life and prosecuted.

Shania Theodor
Shania Theodor
9 years ago

Very happy with this, although life would have been better, I feel sorry for his dogs, he wouldn’t have been very happy with them either :(

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Appalling behaviour and he should be banned for life, we have enough idiots in this wonderful sport of ours as it is and the penalty’s need to be toughed up so bad behaviourĀ is not rewarded or ignored.

Kylie hunt
Kylie hunt
9 years ago

Lucky im not in this industry anymore id be band for life to puttun up with all u whinging grubs