Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Jockey William White
RWWA Stewards conducted an inquiry on Friday 17 April 2020 in relation to a number of charges issued under the Rules of Racing to Jockey Mr William White, arising from him being charged and subsequently pleading guilty to assaulting the driver of a taxi or omnibus on 27 December 2019. Mr White was sentenced by the court to eight (8) months imprisonment for this offence which is currently pending appeal.
In order to apply necessary precautions as a result of Covid-19, the inquiry was conducted via teleconference in which Mr White participated with the assistance of his solicitor.
At the inquiry Mr White pleaded guilty to the following charges to which the Stewards, after considering submissions on penalty, determined on Tuesday 28 April 2020 to impose the penalties as indicated.
In determining penalty, Stewards took into account a range of matters including:
- Mr White’s otherwise good record in racing over many years of licensed involvement.
- Mr White’s plea of guilty to all charges and forthright matter before the panel which enabled the matter to be dealt with efficiently.
- His genuine remorse and apologies.
- The need for the penalty to carry a suitable level of deterrence that also reflects that such conduct by licensed persons, at any time, is not acceptable.
Taking all matters into account and applying principles of totality, Stewards directed that all penalties imposed be served concurrently and that they be backdated to commence as of 3 February 2020, as such date was when Mr White was again stood down pending outcome of these matters. Effectively, the total period of disqualification is therefore eight (8) months, to expire 2 October 2020.
Charge 1.
AR228 (a) Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing.
Particulars: The particulars of the charge are that Mr White, being a licensed Jockey with RWWA, has engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the image of racing by assaulting a taxi driver on December 27 2019 in Albany.
Penalty: 8 months disqualification.
Charge 2.
AR229 (1) (a) Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour.
Particulars: The particulars of the charge are that Mr White, being a licensed Jockey with RWWA has engaged in an improper practice in connection with racing by failing to disclose the criminal convictions detailed in the letter of 1 February 2020 to Chief Steward Mr Brad Lewis concerning offences in April 2011.
Penalty: 3 months disqualification.
Charge 3.
AR229 (1)(h) Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour.
Particulars: The particulars of the charge are that during an investigation conducted by Stewards at Albany on 19 January 2020, Mr White, being a licensed Jockey with RWWA did make misleading statements in relation to a matter in connection with the administration and control of racing by denying to the Chief Steward that he had assault related convictions on his police record.
Penalty: 12 months disqualification reduced to 8 months for reasons of totality.
Charge 4. – 10 Counts
AR115 (1) (c) – Jockey and apprentice jockey misconduct
Particulars: The particulars of the charge are that Mr White, being a licensed Jockey with RWWA has placed the following bets on Western Australian Thoroughbred races as detailed in the memorandum of Betting Investigator Mr. T Styles (5/3/20).
Penalty: 2 months suspension on each count to be served concurrently.
(NB: In determining this penalty the Stewards took into account that the wagers placed were on his TABtouch account and therefore easily detectible and did not include any race in which he had ridden and were of a minor value which included a variety of novelty investments).
Charge 5. Local Rule 233 – Disqualification by conviction
LR 233 Disqualification by conviction
Particulars:
(1) Subject to sub-rule (2) the Principal Racing Authority may for such period and on such conditions as it thinks fit, disqualify a person who is convicted of a crime or an offence in any State or Territory of Australia or in any country.
(2) Any person who is convicted of a crime or an offence in any State or Territory of Australia or in any country and sentenced to a period of imprisonment shall be disqualified by the Stewards for the same period as the term of imprisonment.
(3) To obviate any doubt, sub-rule (2) shall apply where the term of imprisonment is suspended by a court.
Penalty: 8 months disqualification