Fines All Around For Gray’s After Broken Hill Altercations
Greyhound Racing NSW Stewards last week finalised an inquiry into several alleged incidents that occurred at the meeting conducted by the Broken Hill GRC on 6 October 2012.
Evidence was taken from licensed persons Mr Matthew Gray, Ms Susan Gray, Ms Teagan Gray, Mr Jamie Coff, Mr Terry Gaiter, Mr Damien Gaiter, Ms Lorraine Robertson, Mr Robert Dannatt, Ms Rebecca McAvaney, Mr Noel Bland, Mr Clint Trengrove, Mr Fred Sweet and Broken Hill GRC employees Mr Ken Craft, Mr Paul Burgess and Mr D Riley.
During the course of evidence it was established that Ms Susan Gray had used inappropriate language within the confines of the kennel block prior to race six on the day in question and that Mr Matthew Gray had also engaged in the use of inappropriate language during the parade to the boxes prior to the running of the same event.
It was further established that Mr Matthew Gray and Ms Teagan Gray had also engaged in the use of inappropriate language and became embroiled in a physical altercation adjacent to the parade yard following the running of Race 10.
Ms Susan Gray pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 86 (o) in that she had engaged in the use of inappropriate language, which in the opinion of the Stewards constituted misconduct.
Mr Matthew Gray pleaded guilty to two charges under GAR 86 (o) in that he had on two separate occasions engaged in the use of inappropriate language, which in the opinion of the Stewards constituted misconduct. Mr Matthew Gray also pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 86 (q) in that he had engaged in a physical altercation with Ms Teagan Gray which was detrimental to the image of greyhound racing.
Ms Teagan Gray pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 86 (o) in that she had engaged in the use of inappropriate language, which in the opinion of the Stewards constituted misconduct. Ms Teagan Gray also pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 86 (q) in that she had engaged in a physical altercation with Mr Matthew Gray which was detrimental to the image of greyhound racing.
After consideration Stewards issued the following penalties:
- Ms Susan Gray was fined the sum of $400;
- Mr Matthew Gray was fined $700 and $1500 for his two breaches of GAR 86 (o) of which $200 and $500 respectively were suspended on the condition that he does not commit a further breach of GAR 86 (o) for a period of 12 months. With regard to Mr Matthew Gray's breach of GAR 86 (q) Stewards imposed a period of three months disqualification; and
- Ms Teagan Gray was fined $1000 for her breach of GAR 86 (o) and disqualified for three months for her breach of GAR 86 (q).
In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration the unblemished records of Ms Susan Gray, Mr Matthew Gray and Ms Teagan Gray over periods of 21, four and 14 years of licensing respectively, their personal circumstances, the guilty pleas issued by all parties with respect to each of the six charges, previous penalties that have been handled out for offences of similar nature, the need for the penalty to reflect some form of deterrence and the effect that such incidents have on the image of greyhound racing.
Ms Susan Gray, Mr Matthew Gray and Ms Teagan Gray were all advised of their rights of appeal.