David Spade
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Greg Bird glassing conviction quashed
Greg Bird glassing conviction quashed | National News | News.com.au
Ms Milligan suffered a broken eye socket and cuts to her eye during an altercation at the former NRL player's flat in August last year.
The judge said today Mr Bird had acted in self-defence.
The former Cronulla Shark and Australian representative had been convicted of recklessly wounding his American girlfriend and was sentenced in June to at least eight months' jail time, with a maximum of 16 months.
But he launched an appeal the same day and was granted bail until this week's hearing at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney.
Judge Michael Finnane overturned his conviction this morning.
Mr Bird and Ms Milligan had originally blamed their flatmate Brent Watson for the glassing attack but he was not at the Cronulla flat at the time of the incident.
They refused to give statements to police about the altercation and refused to give evidence at his local court trial, with Ms Milligan later saying they had been advised there was no chance of conviction.
Both gave evidence at Mr Bird's appeal hearing this week, blaming Ms Milligan's drug use and aggression for the fight which she started.
She told the court that during the fight she "lunged" at Mr Bird with a water glass as he took a "defensive position" and tried to grab her wrists.
Neither could explain how the glass broke, just saying that Ms Milligan fell to the floor clutching her eye.
Mr Bird said he tried to convince Ms Milligan to tell the truth - that it had been an accident - but Ms Milligan did not think anyone would believe Mr Bird had not been involved.
"I didn't believe anybody would believe it was an accident - here's a guy who everyone wants to believe is an aggressive footballer," she told the court.
"I didn't want his name associated with it in any way."
Judge Finnane said he believed the couple's version of events.
Ms Milligan had been "quite irrational" when she arrived at the flat that morning in an agitated state and began smashing things, ripping up photos and throwing flowers before coming at Mr Bird with the glass, he said.
"(Bird) did not respond physically ... He did not strike her or shout at her," Judge Finnane said.
"What Mr Bird did was to grab the wrists of Ms Milligan as she was attempting to (thrust) the glass into his face.
"In my opinion he acted in the belief that he had to do this (to defend himself).
"He undoubtedly is a very strong man, being a rugby league player ... He engages in a robust sport, but grabbing a wrist is in no sense a hostile act.
"Unfortunately, perhaps because he is stronger than her, her wrist was forced backwards (into her face)."
Greg Bird glassing conviction quashed | National News | News.com.au
- Greg Bird wounding conviction overturned
- Judge accepts he acted in self-defence
- Girlfriend suffered facial wounds from glass
Ms Milligan suffered a broken eye socket and cuts to her eye during an altercation at the former NRL player's flat in August last year.
The judge said today Mr Bird had acted in self-defence.
The former Cronulla Shark and Australian representative had been convicted of recklessly wounding his American girlfriend and was sentenced in June to at least eight months' jail time, with a maximum of 16 months.
But he launched an appeal the same day and was granted bail until this week's hearing at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney.
Judge Michael Finnane overturned his conviction this morning.
Mr Bird and Ms Milligan had originally blamed their flatmate Brent Watson for the glassing attack but he was not at the Cronulla flat at the time of the incident.
They refused to give statements to police about the altercation and refused to give evidence at his local court trial, with Ms Milligan later saying they had been advised there was no chance of conviction.
Both gave evidence at Mr Bird's appeal hearing this week, blaming Ms Milligan's drug use and aggression for the fight which she started.
She told the court that during the fight she "lunged" at Mr Bird with a water glass as he took a "defensive position" and tried to grab her wrists.
Neither could explain how the glass broke, just saying that Ms Milligan fell to the floor clutching her eye.
Mr Bird said he tried to convince Ms Milligan to tell the truth - that it had been an accident - but Ms Milligan did not think anyone would believe Mr Bird had not been involved.
"I didn't believe anybody would believe it was an accident - here's a guy who everyone wants to believe is an aggressive footballer," she told the court.
"I didn't want his name associated with it in any way."
Judge Finnane said he believed the couple's version of events.
Ms Milligan had been "quite irrational" when she arrived at the flat that morning in an agitated state and began smashing things, ripping up photos and throwing flowers before coming at Mr Bird with the glass, he said.
"(Bird) did not respond physically ... He did not strike her or shout at her," Judge Finnane said.
"What Mr Bird did was to grab the wrists of Ms Milligan as she was attempting to (thrust) the glass into his face.
"In my opinion he acted in the belief that he had to do this (to defend himself).
"He undoubtedly is a very strong man, being a rugby league player ... He engages in a robust sport, but grabbing a wrist is in no sense a hostile act.
"Unfortunately, perhaps because he is stronger than her, her wrist was forced backwards (into her face)."
