Rugby player’s jaw broken in friendly

Jul 23 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A RUGBY player accused of breaking an opponent’s jaw during a pre-season friendly told a court yesterday he did nothing wrong and had respect for the game.

Andrew Sangster is accused of assaulting Andrew Rickaby, a flanker with Percy Park RFC, the minutes before the match being played in North Shields, finished.

But Sangster, who was playing his first game with Borders side Peebles RFC, denied the prosecution claim he had deliberately punched the 22-year-old in the side of the face.

He told Newcastle Crown Court yesterday he recalled shoulder charging Mr Rickaby while they ran into each other during the game.

He said: “I wouldn’t punch somebody in that manner. I don’t know how his jaw was broken. No-one likes to see someone getting injured in a game of rugby.”

Sangster, who denies inflicting grievous bodily harm, said he had played the sport for around 17 years with a number of teams, including his university side in Aberdeen, and had a clean match record.

The 25-year-old Scot, who works in financial services and hopes to become a teacher, said he had his eye gouged during a tackle earlier in the game but did not see who did it.

He said despite having a smaller squad Peebles RFC were winning the match on August 25 last year.

The jury heard that the friendly allowed players to take up different positions and Sangster had joined the game in the second half.

Sangster, of Yeamen Place, Edinburgh, told the court: “I remember we were three tries up, there was some minor indication it wasn’t played in particularly good spirt, but nothing serious.

“I would say I was playing well. I had a point to prove because I was a new player and I had been injured. If I didn’t play well I wouldn’t be included in the team.

“I was making sure when I got my chance I was playing well. I managed to steal the ball two or three times. I was enjoying the game.”

The court heard the alleged assault took place between five to 10 minutes from the end of the game.

Sangster, who the court heard was 6ft tall and weighed a fit 15-stone, said both he and Mr Rickaby ran into each other.

“I kept running, my opposite number fell to the ground,” he added.

Defending Tim Gittins said: “Did you think anything more of that challenge?”

Sangster replied: “Nothing really, no. I believe he (the referee) saw what had happened out the corner of his eye because a Percy Park player said ‘Come on ref,’ or something along those lines.

“He said ‘that’s nothing, play on’.”

Sangster said he remembered seeing Mr Rickaby playing again before the game finished but wasn’t aware of any issue between them, adding: “I didn’t know there were any bad feelings after the match at all.”

The court was told that the teams shook hands after the match before getting changed and moving on to the club house.

Sangster, who was arrested four months later, added that although the game had not been played in particularly good spirits, “there weren’t any ill feelings, in fact I can remember two teams competing in a boat race (a drinking contest) afterwards.”

The trial continues.