Ben Barba's rugby league career has been thrown a lifeline after no conviction was recorded against him for the assault of his brother-in-law.
Barba was once considered the best NRL player in the world and his defence team argued his future in the sport could be over if a criminal conviction was recorded.
Barba pleaded guilty to three charges; assault occasioning bodily harm, breaching bail conditions and failing to complete a community service order.
Magistrate James Morton ordered him to pay $1,500 in fines and $1,000 in compensation to his brother-in-law, Adrian Currie.
Mr Morton said Barba's career was littered with blown chances.
"You've gone from the penthouse to the shithouse in a blink of an eye," Mr Morton said.
"You had everything given to you and you threw it away."
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Morton decided not to record a conviction on Barba's criminal record in part due to an opportunity for him to play rugby league in Spain with the Valencia Huracanes in 2021.
Barba's lawyer Campbell Maccallum said his client was happy to be given another chance.
"He is a young Indigenous man with a lot of talent who certainly is hoping to further his career in rugby league," he said.
"Whether that be in Spain or Australia or in the Super League competition."
Mr Maccallum said their main priority was to make sure no criminal conviction was recorded.
"That would have impeded his progress to Spain and certainly travel overseas," he said.
"There's a clause in the contract which does say if a NRL club or Super League approaches him with a contract, that they will release him immediately."
.jpg?w=600)
