- James Roberts charged by police after vehicle stop
- Played more than 160 games for five NRL clubs
Former NRL star James Roberts has been charged with alleged possession of drugs and more than $1000 cash suspected of being illegally obtained after a vehicle stop by police.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old former NSW Blues rep was handed two court attendance notices regarding an alleged incident that took place in Sydney’s east during July.
Roberts, who played more than 160 NRL games for five clubs, was charged with possessing a prohibited drug – marijuana – and possessing unlawfully obtained goods pertaining to $1400 cash.
The alleged offences are believed to have taken place between 10.45am and 11am on July 30 – but charges were laid on Wednesday due to the substance needing to be tested.
It’s understood police pulled the footy star over at Matraville in a random roadside stop and formed a reasonable suspicion which then led to the search of Roberts’ car.
The ex-NRL star did not appear in court and the matter was adjourned.
The charges will be brought up again at Waverley Local Court on December 18.
Roberts is on a 15-month conditional release order after he pleaded guilty to breaching an AVO by repeatedly calling his estranged partner.
Former NRL star James Roberts has been charged over drugs and suspected stolen cash
The ex-footy star was stopped by police in Matraville on July 30
In June, Roberts appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court when a magistrate heard the ex-footy star had not worked in six months and was receiving Centrelink benefits to make ends meet.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to breaching a condition of an AVO not to make contact with his de-facto partner, Anna Jovanovic.
One charge of stalking or intimidation against him was withdrawn by prosecutors and dismissed by the court.
Roberts is expected to appear in Waverley Local Court regarding the matter on December 18
Roberts played for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos across 12 seasons in the NRL.
He appeared in all three games for NSW in the team’s successful 2018 State of Origin campaign and played for the Indigenous All Stars and City Origin before retiring in 2022.
