Police wind up Broncos assault probe
Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions will make a recommendation within weeks on whether Broncos players should face sexual assault charges, after police wound up their investigation.
Detectives have investigated Karmichael Hunt, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd over allegations that they sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman in a Brisbane nightclub toilet in September.
Police Minister Judy Spence said Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson was now seeking "independent advice".
He is expected to ask Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions for an opinion.
"The investigation into sexual assault allegations against three men stemming from an alleged incident at the Alahambra Night Club in September has primarily been finalised," a police spokesperson said.
"Senior police officers are reviewing the matter internally before handing the file over to an external body for review.
"It is anticipated this process will take some weeks," the spokesperson said.
"As soon as we are in a position to do so, we will announce the outcome of this investigation."
Mr Atkinson said late last month that "regardless of the outcome" of the investigation, all evidence could be sent to an outside body for advice.
He said that would ensure the public had confidence in the police's final decision.
Ms Spence said the investigation would now enter the "next step".
"The police investigations have concluded and then they will go to the next step, and that is seek independent advice," she told reporters in Brisbane.
"We won't have an announcement for another couple of weeks."
The news came the same day as the Broncos confirmed the club was adopting a new system of curfews and a ban on players drinking between Sunday matches and Friday games.
The move followed what Broncos boss Bruno Cullen described as a disappointing end to the 2008 season, which included a number of off-field indiscretions.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.