Former England and Great Britain rugby league star Gareth Hock has been spared jail for throwing stones at a woman, leaving her with an injured eye. The 45-year-old, who played for Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions and Salford Red Devils, showed no reaction as Judge Bernadette Baxter handed him an 18-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work at Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday.
Attack Details
Prosecutor Callum Stevens told the court that Hock was drinking when he threw stones at the victim, who said her eye was left 'fully black and blue'. The stones were described as a 'weapon equivalent'. Hock had denied section 47 assault but was convicted by a jury following a trial.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Baxter stated: 'I do not accept you did not intend to throw stones at her. You completely lost your temper. You were in drink and became aggressive and threw stones in her direction injuring her face. That's disgraceful behaviour.' She noted Hock's time already served on remand and curfew, and said a prison sentence of less than 12 months would serve little purpose. The judge also highlighted Hock's 'addiction issues' and 'limited insight' into his crime.
Defence and Previous Convictions
Hock's barrister, Vanessa Thomson KC, urged a 'proportionate' sentence. The court heard Hock had two previous convictions for 'dissimilar' crimes. Hock had been cleared of two counts of rape following a three-week trial in May, along with four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and perverting the course of justice. Jurors found him guilty of one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and were unable to reach a verdict on controlling or coercive behaviour, with no retrial pursued.
Victim's Account
The trial heard the woman told police Hock's behaviour changed following 'drink and drug binges'. She said he 'had a problem with drink and drugs' and 'would not take no for an answer'. Following his arrest, Hock called her and said: 'Just drop the charges. You can't do this to me. My name will be in all the papers. All the stuff you're saying... you're lying.'
Hock's Testimony
Giving evidence, Hock claimed the woman was drunk and he had two glasses of wine. 'She was drunk, she was giddy,' he said. 'I just picked some gravel from the ground and threw them up. I didn't intend to hurt her.' He denied knowing the stones made contact with anyone, saying he was 'all over the shop' and had never done anything like that. He also alleged the woman had scratched him, ripped his t-shirt, and attacked him with a meat fork in another incident.
