Russell King Gets 6 Weeks For Abusing GHRRA Steward Dean Degan
GHRRA Stewards have only just released details surronding an verbal altercation between licensed New South Wales greyhound trainer Russell King and GHRRA Steward Dean Degan.
And in contrast to the Dean Ryan case, where Ryan was disqualified for 6 months, King has only received a 6 week suspension.
New South Wales GHRRA Stewards on the 25th February 2009 finalised an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of licensed person Mr. Russell King in the kennelling area and Stewards' Room prior to the Gardens meeting of the 10th December, 2008.
During the course of the Inquiry evidence was taken from :
- Mr. Dean Degan – Stipendiary Steward
- Mr. Michael Hurley – Chair of Stewards
- Mr. Russell King
The evidence at the Inquiry revealed that Mr. King became involved in an alteration with Mr. Degan when he was asked to display his Identification Card in the kennels.
The incident led to Mr. King yelling at Mr. Degan and then swearing whilst still in the kennel area a short time later.
Mr. King then attended an Inquiry in the Stewards' Room before handing in his license and leaving the Inquiry without permission.
Stewards subsequently charged Mr. King with two breaches of Rule 86(o) which provides:-
R86 Offences
-
A person (including an official) shall be guilty of an offence if the person-
(o) has, in relation to a greyhound or greyhound racing, done a thing, or omitted to do a thing,
which, in the opinion of the Stewards or the Controlling Body, as the case may be, is negligent,
dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent or improper, or constitutes misconduct;
The particulars of the first charge being that in the kennelling area at the Gardens on the 10th December, 2008 Mr Russell King you did state :
- 1. ‘when are you going to stop this bullshit'
- 2. ‘it's a joke, you don't fucking mess with me'
The particulars of the second charge being that Mr Russell King during the course of a properly constituted Stewards' Inquiry did throw his license on the table and leave the Stewards' Inquiry without the permission of the Stewards.
Mr. King pleaded guilty to both breaches of Rule 86(o) however denied using foul language.
After consideration on the matter of penalty Mr. King was suspended for a period of six weeks on each charge to be served cumulatively from 25th February 2009.
According to the GHRRA Stewards Inquiry report, the following factors carried weight in the Stewards' decision :
- Any penalty imposed must act as a deterrent.
- Plea of guilty to the charges.
- Forthright evidence throughout the Inquiry.
[…] Verbal altercations between trainers and Stewards […]