Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – trainer Rob Westworth
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded their investigation and inquiry in relation to medications and other substances which were reported to stewards on 24 January 2023 to be at the premises from which greyhound trainer Rob Westworth was licensed to train.
After seizing these items, Mr Westworth’s licences were immediately suspended pending the outcome of this matter.
Mr Westworth was subsequently disqualified on 1 March 2023 after failing to attend as directed before investigators until this matter was concluded.
RWWA investigators conducted an interview with Mr Westworth on 24 March 2023. On 18 April 2023, following investigations, RWWA stewards issued four charges in relation to the possession of the seized substances.
At the inquiry conducted on 8 May 2023, following an amendment to Charge 2 with respect to the listed substances pertaining to that charge, Mr Westworth pleaded guilty to the four charges. Stewards have now determined penalties as indicated:
- Charge 1 – Rule 144 (d) relating to the possession of permanently banned substances – 12 months disqualification.
- Charge 2 – Rule 148 (1)(a) relating to the possession of unregistered medications – six months disqualification.
- Charge 3 – Rule 148 (1)(a) relating to the possession of Schedule 4 prescription human medications that were not correctly prescribed as required – six months disqualification.
- Charge 4 – Rule 148 (1)(a) relating to the possession of Schedule 4 prescription animal remedies that were not correctly prescribed as required – $1500 fine.
The periods of disqualification are to be served concurrently and were made effective as of the date Mr Westworth pleaded guilty to these charges (8 May 2023). Accordingly, the total period of disqualification to be served is 12-months, expiring midnight 7 May 2024, in addition to the payment of $1,500 relating to Charge 4.
In assessing penalties, stewards considered, amongst other things:
- The controlling body’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity and welfare which made offences of this nature serious.
- That the possession of such substances was a serious offence as it had potential to bring the industry into disrepute.
- Mr Westworth’s guilty plea and long history of involvement in the industry, which is his livelihood.
- That his prior record over many years included one prior offence which resulted in a two-year disqualification in 2020, which was confirmed on appeal relating to the presentation of a greyhound to race not free of the prohibited substance amphetamine.
- The nature, classification and quantity of the substances relating to each of the charges.
- That the stewards were satisfied that he had direct personal knowledge and responsibility for the acquisition and control of these substances.
- That the substances were located in an area other than the kennel area.
- The age of the various products which indicated they had been in his possession for some time.
- The need for the penalty to serve suitable levels of deterrence given the risks to integrity, welfare and the reputation of the sport.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 177, the stewards were of the opinion that in all of the circumstances it would be inappropriate to impose any punishment on owner/breeder Ms M Romer, who reported the matter to the stewards, for the presence of these items at the premises she was also licensed from, and accordingly, determined to discharge her in accordance with that rule (see below for details of Rule 177).
177 Breach of the Rules without recording of finding of guilt or imposing a penalty
- A Controlling Body or the Stewards may, without proceeding to record a finding of guilt or imposing a penalty, discharge a person (so that no formal finding of guilt will be recorded against the person) if:
- a person is charged by a Controlling Body or the Stewards with a breach of the Rules; and
- the Controlling Body or Stewards are of the opinion that the charge is proved but that it is inappropriate to inflict any punishment on the person, or any more than a nominal punishment.
- A person discharged pursuant to subrule (1) of this rule is to be discharged on the condition that the person does not commit any further breach of the Rules for a specified period or if no period is specified, a period of 12 months. A Controlling Body may at any time revoke or vary that condition.
- If a person commits a further breach of the Rules in relation to a condition of discharge, the person may be dealt with for the breach for which the person was discharged by a Controlling Body or the Stewards dealing with the further breach.