Former rugby league and union international Wendell Sailor has appeared in a Wollongong court following his arrest earlier this month, with his legal team indicating they will seek to have the charges against him withdrawn.
Alleged late-night incident leads to arrest
The 51-year-old ex-Dragons player was taken into custody on December 5 after police responded to reports of a man standing in the middle of a road and shouting. Officers alleged Sailor was blocking traffic near the intersection of Campbell Street and Throsby Drive while under the influence of alcohol or another substance.
It is further alleged that Sailor resisted the attempts of police to arrest him. He subsequently spent the night in custody before being released on bail the following day.
Legal manoeuvres in Wollongong Local Court
Sailor faced Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, where his high-profile lawyer, Adam Houda, requested an adjournment. Mr Houda informed the court he intended to make representations to prosecutors for the withdrawal of all charges.
Registrar Tina McKenna agreed to adjourn the matter until January 27. Sailor has been excused from attending on that date provided he has legal representation.
Charges and related bail breach
The former dual-code star is formally charged with obstructing traffic, resisting arrest, and breaching bail. The alleged bail breach stems from conditions imposed after a separate incident in Sydney in November 2024, where he is accused of assaulting two men outside a bar.
Those conditions specifically prohibited him from being intoxicated in a public place. Sailor has previously entered not guilty pleas to charges of common assault, offensive behaviour, refusing to leave licensed premises, and intimidation relating to the Sydney altercation.
The court will next consider his case in the new year as his legal team prepares its bid to have the Wollongong charges dropped.
