Police feared crowd violence when they let wanted man play footy final
Police say they feared crowd violence when they agreed to let a wanted man play a country football semi-final before they arrested him, a court has heard.
But to the officers' embarrassment, Henty Football player Jarrah Maksymow fled the Hume League final at half-time on September 8 then spent two days on the run.
An officer told Albury Local Court on Wednesday "a decision was made by attending police to effect the arrest post-match due to concerns about violence from the crowd".
Maksymow, who was one of the best players on the ground in the first-half of the match, left Henty a player short in the second half.
Coach Joel Price admitted Maksymow's shock departure was a distraction but refused to blame it for the 33-point loss.
Maksymow, then 26, had been in custody in Junee jail in NSW since his arrest until he was bailed into rehabilitation on Wednesday, after he earlier admitted to assaulting a woman in Albury on the day of the semi-final.
The offender narrowly avoided a jail term in June 2018 after being involved in a brawl in April outside Albury's Sweethearts late-night pizza restaurant about 3.45am, just 12 hours after making his debut for the Hume league club.
“Nothing good happens at 3.45am on the streets of Albury,” magistrate Rodney Brender said during a hearing over that incident.
Maksymow has previously served time in jail for offences including affray.
On the day of the semi-final, Maksymow drove to the house of the female victim, who was known to him, and entered the home while she was showering.
The victim walked out and asked him to leave.
Maksymow hit her across the face with an open hand, striking her nose and causing it to bleed.
She ran to the toilet and locked herself in to prevent him from getting to her.
The victim's sister arrived and Maksymow said he "should wring your neck" and stated "I should smack you now".
He bashed on a door and window and only left when told the police had been called.
Maksymow eventually made his way to the sports ground, spoke to police then fled before his arrest two days later on charges of assault, break-and-enter, and driving offences.
The most serious charge of aggravated break and enter with intent was dropped.
Maksymow must obey the orders of rehab staff and the matter will return to court on June 4.
Border Mail