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Hopoate clashes with reporters

At a Sydney court where he was charged with common assault, former NRL player and boxer John Hopoate had a confrontation with reporters.

On Tuesday, Hopoate, aged 36, appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court regarding charges stemming from a brawl in Kings Cross, Sydney’s nightclub district, which occurred in December. The incident allegedly involved bouncers from the Trademark Hotel.

While pleading not guilty to the common assault charge, Hopoate refrained from entering pleas for two additional charges—affray and a new charge, which was presented to his defense team earlier that day, of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company.

During the court proceedings, Hopoate stood in the doorway of the crowded courtroom, obstructing reporters from entering.

Two female reporters who managed to force their way in were met with Hopoate’s remarks to “get out” and “there’s no room.”

To block their entrance, he stood closely with another individual.

On December 18, Wilson Duque Castillo, 33, died following a bashing incident, while his brother sustained facial injuries after being denied entry to the Trademark Hotel.

Wilson fell into a coma from which he never woke up.

His sibling, Wilmer, who is 27, received treatment for his facial injuries.

According to police, the brothers and a friend were pursued after one of them threatened the door staff.

Hopoate, a former heavyweight boxing champion and high-level rugby league player, was employed as a bouncer at the Trademark Hotel at the time of the incident and was arrested the next day, facing charges related to the attack on Wilmer.

Registrar Craig Crooke has extended Hopoate’s bail, with a court appearance scheduled for March 8.

by Buford Balony

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