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Former State of Origin star Chris Walker allegedly engaged in ‘deeply concerning’ acts that left his estranged wife feeling she could not find safety in her bedroom, workplace or parents’ house before being charged with domestic violence offences, a court has heard.
The ex-Broncos and Roosters winger has been charged with three counts of common assault, unlawful stalking, using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, and wilful damage after being arrested on Saturday night after police attended a property in Currumbin Waters on the Gold Coast.
Police prosecutor Jamie Dow opposed bail in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday and said the primary complainant is Walker’s estranged wife.
Dow told the court that Walker – who still lives in the same house as his wife – allegedly let himself into her bedroom on March 12 and attempted to take her mobile phone.
The court heard he is also accused of going to her workplace on March 13 and yelling at staff before leaving.
Walker allegedly went to his in-laws’ house on two occasions as he tried to find her, with one of the visits coming at 2am.
Former State of Origin star Chris Walker (pictured) has fronted court after being charged with a string of alleged domestic violence offences
The ex-Broncos and Roosters winger (pictured) allegedly tried to take his wife’s mobile phone and turned up at her parents’ house and place of work, a court heard on Monday
‘The pattern of behaviour is deeply concerning,’ Dow told the court, according to News Corp.
‘She’s not safe in her bedroom, not safe in her workplace, not safe at her parents’.’
Walker’s lawyer Tom Polley told the court his client was no longer clean and sober after spending a long time abstaining from alcohol.
The 46-year-old former Maroons star is ‘horrified by the conduct he’s aware he has partaken in’, Polley told the court.
‘He’s very cognisant of the fact he needs rehabilitation,’ Polley said.
Walker is currently the chief commercial officer for the Sunny Days Distillery business, which sells vodka.
Magistrate Nicholas Brown granted Walker bail on the condition that he live at a nominated rural address, have no contact with his estranged wife, participate in a residential rehabilitation facility, obtain a mental health care plan and not enter the greater Gold Coast region unless he is attending court.
Queensland police released the following statement shortly after Walker’s arrest.
The lawyer acting for Walker (pictured left with fellow former NRL star Willie Mason) told the court his client knows he needs to go to rehab
Walker (pictured starring for Queensland) played 163 top-level matches and scored 87 tries during his footy career
‘A man was arrested in Currumbin Waters last night 14 March in relation to domestic violence offences,’ a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
‘Police attended a Whitsunday Drive address after receiving information a man wanted for alleged domestic violence offences was hiding in a back yard.
‘Police located and arrested the 46-year-old Currumbin Waters man who is currently assisting police with inquiries.’
Walker, who was born in Brisbane, enjoyed a long rugby league career that spanned more than a decade and saw him play for several NRL clubs, including the Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels.
Across his professional career he played 163 top-level matches and scored 87 tries.
The winger also represented Queensland in State of Origin, scoring four tries across six appearances between 2001 and 2002.
Walker made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 1999 and finished as the club’s top try-scorer in 2002 alongside teammates Lote Tuqiri and Darren Lockyer.
