Sucked in , Dickhead

WACA pitch invader fined $9000 JOSEPH SAPIENZA
February 16, 2010 - 2:12PM .

David Fraser tackles Pakistani player Khalid Latif after running onto the WACA last month. Photo: Getty Images

A man who caused an international cricket uproar after tackling a Pakistani cricketer during a one-day international at the WACA last month has been fined for his actions.

David James Fraser, 37, of Yangebup was convicted of assault and trespass after pleading guilty to the charges in the Perth Magistrates Court today.

Fraser ran on to the pitch on January 31 and tackled Pakistani fieldsman Khalid Latif, before being wrestled to the ground by security guards. His lawyer told the court he ran onto the ground because he was dared to by his mate.


David Fraser was fined for tackling a Pakistani cricketer at the WACA.
Magistrate Giuseppe Cicchini fined Fraser $6000 on the trespass charge and $3000 for the assault, as well as ordering him to pay $62.50 in court costs.

Police did not seek a jail term, rather a substantial fine that would be seen as a "deterrent to other people who wished to invade a sporting event".

In handing down the fines, Mr Cicchini agreed a strong message needed to be sent to the community to ensure a similar incident was never repeated.

He told a remorseful Fraser - who was sporting a shorter hair cut - that his actions were aimed at attracting the maximum publicity and that he knew he could not set foot on the ground.

"Not only did you enter the arena of play, you then tackled a Pakistani cricket player," Mr Cicchini said.

"It is not on for any one to enter an arena while a sport match is happening, while any attack on a player is subject to serious ramifications and you must have known that."

The magistrate said Latif would have been vulnerable on this particular occasion, as he "was not expecting anyone to come over the fence and tackle him".

"The injuries were not particularly serious and he was able to continue playing. Nevertheless he was injured and it was totally and utterly uncalled for," he said.

Fraser's lawyer said her client was affected by alcohol but Mr Cicchini was not accepting that as an excuse for his actions.

"If you choose to drink alcohol to excess and to which your inhibitions are removed, then others should not be affected by your behaviour," the magistrate said.

"Other people were affected by your behaviour - not only the players but other people at the ground and on TV."

"This type of conduct is not acceptable and not appropriate - a strong message must be sent out."

The court was told Fraser had a prior record for drug and alcohol offences, but not for trespassing.

Mr Cicchini acknowledged the fines were significant.

"They are meant to be significant and meant to send home the message," he said.

Earlier, police prosecutors said Fraser was consumed by alcohol as he had been drinking for some time.

"A clear message must be sent to the people of Australia and WA," the sergeant said. "They are serious offences."

"This was a fairly serious incident that was broadcast internationally in relation to what has occurred."

Latif suffered soreness and stiffness to his neck after the tackle, and was later treated by team medical staff.

According to his lawyer, Fraser - a roof tiler by trade - acknowledged it was out of character and an "incredibly stupid decision", after being dared by his mates to run onto the field.

"The consequences were more serious than he would have expected," she said.

Fraser has already been banned for life by the WACA.

Cricket Australia and the WACA shied away from commenting specifically on the findings of today's case, and both said they will continue to lobby the State Government to increase their penalties for pitch invaders.

"Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland is writing to the WA Premier supporting the WACA's view that there needs to be significant fines... (for) field of play invasions to act as a deterrent which discourages such trespass," Cricket Australia general manager of public affairs Peter Young said.

A WACA spokesman said: "Further to today's hearing at the Perth Magistrates Court, the Western Australian Cricket Association will continue to work with the Western Australian State Government and other major sporting bodies to push for harsher penalties and set tougher minimum penalties for pitch invaders."

Police did not seek a jail term, rather a substantial fine that would be seen as a "deterrent to other people who wished to invade a sporting event".

A jail term on top of the fine would have been funnier.

Aye, $9,000 to be rogered by Bubba would've been just punishment.

Interesting he gets twice as much for going onto the field as for the assault. I mean if they're going to clobber you for $6k just for wandering on, you might as well go and punch Ricky Ponting repeatedly.

Society frowns more on attacking retards than opposition cricketers.

$62.50 court costs.

How do they come up with the .50?

Fark sake you're fining him $9k - just call it $65.

spangler wrote:Society frowns more on attacking retards than opposition cricketers.

Shoeshine wrote:Interesting he gets twice as much for going onto the field as for the assault. I mean if they're going to clobber you for $6k just for wandering on, you might as well go and punch Ricky Ponting repeatedly.

You could probably take up a collection...

Could have been the Internet Porn Thread of the Year.

But no.

Shoeshine wrote:Interesting he gets twice as much for going onto the field as for the assault. I mean if they're going to clobber you for $6k just for wandering on, you might as well go and punch Ricky Ponting repeatedly.

You could, but I imagine you'd better have a decent dig on you.
Whatever else you say about him, he's tough as old boots.

Jontyh wrote:
You could, but I imagine you'd better have a decent dig on you.
Whatever else you say about him, he's tough as old boots.

Yeah, a few years ago the Aussie chaps got asked who was 'rude'. Haydos, Symonds, Langer all said Ponting.

Brass Monkey wrote:

Jontyh wrote:
You could, but I imagine you'd better have a decent dig on you.
Whatever else you say about him, he's tough as old boots.

Yeah, a few years ago the Aussie chaps got asked who was 'rude'. Haydos, Symonds, Langer all said Ponting.

Only 'cos they were sh!t scared of losing their places in the team to the likes of Phews and Watto ...

Oh wait .....

Phurt!!!!!

Arrogant f*ckwits like them three would never even contemplate losing their place.

Word.

F*ckwits, that is.

Get farked. The NLWL (being wozzie) was dropped more times than merlin has been a tosser.