Australia loose forward Scott Higginbotham has been acquitted of obstructing the police following an incident on a night out in Brisbane.
The 31-year-old tried to play peacemaker after his friend was involved in an altercation with police after being caught urinating in the Fortitude Valley Mall in the Queensland State capital.
Police say Higginbotham then tried to force his way into the Fortitude Valley police station before he had to be restrained by several officers, according to rugby.com.au.
He was charged with assaulting police and “entering a police establishment without a lawful excuse”, but the assault charge was later downgraded to obstructing the police.
Higginbotham was slated to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning for sentencing but did not appear, with police offering no formal evidence and subsequently dropping the charges.
“I’m pleased that the allegations have been withdrawn,” the 34-test number eight told rugby.com.au.
“I have the utmost respect for police and what they do in the community.
“I’m glad that the matter is now behind me.”
Higginbotham was included in Michael Cheika’s June International squad after a hiatus but omitted from his Rugby Championship squad.
Higginbotham surpassed Owen Finegan as the leading try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history whilst playing for the Melbourne Rebels in 2015.
He is now with the Reds. The Wallabies take on Argentina on Saturday in Canberra in Round Four of the Rugby Championship looking for their first win of the competition.
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