Ex-NRL star charged over alleged Moore Park brawl

Ex-NRL star Curtis Scott is back in the headlines after he spent the night behind bars after being hit with a string of violent charges following an alleged late-night blow-up in Sydney.

Scott, 29, was arrested after an incident involving an 18-year-old man near Moore Park on Saturday, with police alleging the pair clashed during a heated exchange over clap sticks that escalated into violence.

He spent Tuesday night in custody before being released on bail Wednesday morning. He will face Downing Centre Local Court on April 9.

“He’s had a come to Jesus moment, having spent a night in custody, that he needs to get some help, and he can nod to confirm he is prepared to get help," his lawyer told reporters on Wednesday.

The teenager was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for facial injuries before being taken to hospital.

Scott has been charged with affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting police, and is due to face a magistrate via the online bail court.

Scott's 55-year-old mother who was allegedly with him was has also been charged with common assault and hindering police, and granted conditional bail to appear at court next month.

Police allege the confrontation began as a verbal dispute between strangers before turning physical.

“Officers attached to Surry Hills Police Area Command arrived and were told an 18-year-old man was involved in a verbal argument with two people – not known to him – before he was allegedly assaulted by them,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

“A short time later, police stopped a tram at Moore Park Light Rail Station and attempted to speak to a man; however, he left the scene after assaulting a Senior Constable, who sustained minor injuries.”

Scott’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, said the incident stemmed from a confrontation between people who did not know each other.

“The incident certainly involves a fight between two people, I don’t know much more, they didn’t know each other, there’s been an argument over some clap sticks, people getting in each other’s faces,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“My client’s hightailed it out of there, some police officers have tried to apprehend him, but they haven’t announced their office or what he’s under arrest for.”

“He’s had a successful case against the police for not complying with their powers in the past, he gets in a heightened state when people are trying to apprehend him without informing him why.

“It certainly appears he needs some help, and that’s what we’re going to try to do when we apply for bail tomorrow.”

The latest drama adds to a turbulent post-NRL chapter for Scott, who played 49 games for the Melbourne Storm and 23 for the Canberra Raiders, including a premiership-winning season in 2017.

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