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Riddell 'glassed' in pub
November 22, 2007 12:00am PARRAMATTA officials have confirmed hooker Mark Riddell was the victim of a glassing incident last night and required six stitches for a head wound. Riddell was out with a group of other NRL players when the unprovoked attacked occurred at an eastern suburbs pub. The Eels hooker was struck near the top of his head, nowhere near his eyes, and required six stitches. Parramatta media manager Damian Kelly confirmed the incident had taken place and that Riddell was recovering well. "There was an incident in a pub last night," said Kelly. "He is fine." Riddell confirmed he had been attacked from behind but said he would not pursue the matter with police. ``I'm alright, a bit of a headache obviously,'' said Riddell. ``It was bleeding pretty bad but I went to the hospital and got it all fixed. ``I'm not going to worry about getting the police involved.'' Riddell said he would be ready to return to preseason training almost immediately. http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22803640-5006066,00.html |
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I was trying to save Benji By Dean Ritchie November 23, 2007 12:00am IT started with a game of cards and a few beers with the boys before ending in bloodshed at a Bondi hotel. Parramatta star Mark Riddell, the man they call Piggy, suffered a severe head wound requiring six stitches after being "glassed" in a cowardly attack. Riddell had gone to the aid of Wests Tigers cult hero Benji Marshall, who had been assaulted at the upmarket The Eastern Hotel in Bondi Junction on Wednesday night. "After being hit I couldn't see because there was blood all over my face," said Riddell, who was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital after the attack. The popular Riddell had joined a group of Wests Tigers players for a drink when the drama erupted. One pub patron shoved and slapped Marshall with an open hand, with Riddell and Wests Tigers prop Todd Payten rushing to assist their mate, as did fellow Tigers players Ben Galea, Bronson Harrison and Chris Heighington. Riddell was at the bar when he heard the scuffle unfolding behind him. As he went to help, he had a schooner glass smashed across the top of his head. As blood poured from the open wound, ambulance officers feared the Parramatta star had burst a blood vessel. The head wound measured six centimetres. Riddell was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital by ambulance but, after hours of waiting for some attention, went home in frustration. The Eels hooker saw Parramatta doctor Michael Johnson yesterday morning and was sent to Hills Private Hospital, where he was stitched and had scans. Fortunately, he was cleared of any long-term injury. Riddell said the incident started when drinkers started hassling Marshall. "They were terrorising Benji," Riddell said. "They slapped him in the face with a open hand. It was hard - it wasn't a pussy slap and they also pushed him. "Toddy Payten tried to break it up and then I tried to do the same before another bloke came over the top and glassed me. Then it was on. "I started throwing a few punches but couldn't see because of the blood I was losing. "I made it down the side steps and saw security, who cleaned me up." The Wests Tigers players had been playing cards at Payten's house before going to the pub. It is understood some of the New Zealand team back from their European tour were also due at the pub. Riddell, who will today return to training at Parramatta, had been to dinner at Woolloomooloo before going to The Eastern. He was unaware the Wests Tigers players were at the pub. "The ambos couldn't believe the amount of blood I was losing," Riddell said. "They also said they have seen a couple of glassings lately. "But luckily it wasn't in my eye or face. I'm OK today but have some headaches." Riddell said he did want to notify police when asked by hotel security. But it is understood police are angry at not being informed of the brawl. No charges have been laid. Wests Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce yesterday spoke to his players, who claimed they were innocent and provoked by the group of drinkers. Witnesses who rang The Daily Telegraph yesterday supported the footballers' claims. "I spoke to a couple of the boys and they said they were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Noyce said. "There was some pushing and shoving. Unfortunately some people at the pub were looking for trouble. Attempts were made to calm the situation but there was trouble. "But the players, including Benji, left the establishment." Marshall's manager Martin Tauber said: "Benji was trying to act as mediator and then suddenly it was on." http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22805772-5006066,00.html |
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Stars refusing to dob By Neil Mercer November 25, 2007 12:00am POLICE have revealed their frustration at the silence from several NRL stars involved in a brawl that led to the glassing of Parramatta hooker Mark Riddell last week. The Sunday Telegraph has also been told that members of the Comancheros bikie gang took part in the fight with Riddell and some Wests Tigers players at the Eastern Hotel at Bondi Junction. Despite a serious head wound requiring six stitches, Riddell has declined to assist police- as have Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall and team-mates Todd Payten, Ben Galea, Bronson Harrison and Chris Heighington. Detective-Inspector Jason Smith said yesterday that he was "frustrated'' over the lack of co-operation from the players. He told The Sunday Telegraph that detectives had contacted Riddell by telephone. The investigator said: "He has indicated that he doesn't want to take the matter any further or assist in any way. "We have made attempts to speak to some of the other players who were present (but) none of the so-called role models have come forward to help us with our investigation. It's frustrating.'' Sources also claimed that Riddell was invited by senior Comancheros members to Friday night's Australian middleweight title fight won by Junior Talipeau at the Croatian Club in Punchbowl as "an apology'' from the group for the incident. "I spoke with some Eastern Suburbs detectives yesterday about the incident ... I decided not to go ahead with it,'' Riddell told Triple M's Deadset Legends program yesterday. "It's dead and buried now.'' However, police said they had no evidence that bikers were present. "Certainly no one has come forward and said that to us,'' Inspector Smith said. "But we can't rule it out.'' Riddell was at the hotel last Wednesday with the Tigers players. After other patrons started hassling Marshall, Riddell and some others went to his aid. Riddell said yesterday that hotel security staff feared the attack with the glass had pierced a blood vessel in the footballer's head. "Security rang an ambulance, and they thought there was a lot of bleeding for that type of head wound; they thought it might have nicked a blood vessel,'' he said. "They were a bit worried about it. "As soon as I got to St Vincent's they checked me out. "The doctor worked out that it hadn't nicked a blood vessel.'' Inspector Smith, the Eastern Suburbs local area command crime manager, said detectives would again approach players this week. While there was some CCTV and evidence from hotel staff, he said that investigators had very little to go on in relation to the incident. He added: "It's a serious incident but we haven't had a formal complaint, which makes it difficult for us. We would like anyone with information to come forward. "Anyone who wants to offer information anonymously, we will protect their identity.'' Riddell said he would return to Parramatta training tomorrow. http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22815420-5006066,00.html |