Harness Stewards Inquiry Owner Mr J Steele
RWWA Stewards commenced an inquiry on 16 May 2019 into an incident involving Owner Mr Jeffrey Steele and the RWWA Stewards of Harness Racing that is alleged to have occurred in the Pinjarra Clubhouse on Monday 8 April 2019 following the race meeting that day.
The commencement of inquiry was delayed to the 16 May 2019 to accommodate the request of Mr Steele that he be represented by Counsel and his counsel’s availability.
After hearing evidence on the 16 May 2019 from Steward Mr T Davies and Cadet Steward Mr T Penny, the matter was adjourned to enable Chief Steward Ms B Scott to appear before the panel.
Due to the unavailability of Ms Scott until June and Mr Steele’s counsel until July, the matter was unable to be resumed until Monday 8 July 2019. Stewards were subsequently advised prior to the inquiry by his counsel that Mr Steele had instructed that he would now attend on his own.
At the resumption evidence was heard from Ms Scott and Mrs J Steele with submissions also made by Mr Steele on his own behalf.
After considering the evidence heard to this stage of the inquiry the Stewards issued the following charges to which Mr Steele pleaded not guilty.
The matter was adjourned to a date to be determined at the request of Mr Steele in order to obtain legal advice with respect to the issued charges before hearing submissions in support of his plea.
Charge 1.
Harness Rule of Racing 231 (1)(f) which states;
231 Assault and interference
(1) A person shall not:-
(f) otherwise interfere improperly with anyone employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry or otherwise having a connection with it.
Particulars
The particulars of the charge are that Mr J Steele on the 8 April 2019 at the Pinjarra Clubhouse did interfere improperly with Cadet Steward Mr T Penny by striking him in the forearm region.
Charge 2.
Harness Rule of Racing 231 (2) which states;
231 Assault and interference
(2) A person shall not misconduct himself in any way.
Particulars
The particulars of the charge are that Mr J Steele on the 8 April 2019 at the Pinjarra Clubhouse did misconduct himself by leaning in towards Chief Steward Ms B Scott’s personal space and proceeding to engage in conduct of an aggressive nature.
Charge 3
Harness Rule of Racing 231 (2) which states;
231 Assault and interference
(2) A person shall not misconduct himself in any way.
Particulars
The particulars of the charge are that Mr J Steele on the 8 April 2019 at the Pinjarra Clubhouse did misconduct himself by leaning in towards Steward Mr T Davies’ personal space and proceeding to engage in conduct of an aggressive nature.