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Lawyer of former NRL star Sam Burgess tells court ex-wife behind domestic violence and drug allegations

The lawyer of former NRL star Sam Burgess has told Moss Vale Local Court allegations of drug abuse and domestic violence published in The Australian newspaper were suspected to have been leaked by his former wife Phoebe Burgess or her father Mitch Hooke.
Key points:
- Former NRL star Sam Burgess has pleaded not guilty to stalking and intimidating his former father-in-law
- His lawyer says this allegation and allegations of drug abuse and domestic violence were leaked to The Australian by his former wife
- The lawyer says the allegations against Burgess were "born out of malice or retaliation"
Lawyer Bryan Wrench made the comments appearing on behalf of the Rabbitohs star, over an incident involving his former father-in-law, former Minerals Council boss Mitch Hooke.
Burgess pleaded not guilty to charges of intimidation and common assault that allegedly occurred while he was attempting to visit his children on Mr Hooke's Southern Highlands property.
The court heard that the allegations published in The Australian had been "sprung" on Burgess and his lawyer.
Mr Wrench told the court that Ms Burgess gave a 50-page statement to Moss Vale police on September 30.
'Born out of malice'
The court heard the statement was "born out of malice or retaliation" from Ms Burgess toward her former partner.
Despite approaching the police for a copy of the statement, Mr Wrench claimed neither he or his client had seen it.
Mr Wrench claimed there was no lawful basis to the statement and that it should not have been given to The Australian.
The magistrate told Mr Wrench he would need to file a motion with the court to obtain the statement.
The lawyer signalled his intention to do so and said they would also be filing a motion holding Phoebe Burgess and her father in contempt of court.
The return of subpoena was delayed until October 21, with a hearing date set for November.
Burgess stood down from his coaching role at the Rabbitohs and his broadcasting job with Fox Sports after the allegations surfaced.
NRL Integrity Unit investigating
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo announced the Integrity Unit would investigate the claims made against the 31-year-old and senior Rabbitohs officials.
He added the league would cooperate with a police investigation already underway.
South Sydney released a statement which said the supported the investigation and indicated they would take action based on the outcome of the investigation.
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Family and domestic violence support:
- 1800 Respect national helpline:
1800 737 732 - Women's Crisis Line:
1800 811 811 - Men's Referral Service:
1300 766 491 - Lifeline (24 hour crisis line):
131 114 - Relationships Australia:
1300 364 277 - NSW Domestic Violence Line:
1800 656 463 - Qld DV Connect Womensline:
1800 811 811 - Vic Safe Steps crisis response line:
1800 015 188 - ACT 24/7 Crisis Line:
(02) 6280 0900 - Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:
1800 608 122 - SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line:
1800 800 098 - WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline:
1800 007 339 - NT Domestic violence helpline:
1800 737 732