Tuesday 9 September 2014

Ian Gough on rugby return after assault conviction: "I"ve had a near 20-year ...

Wales star Ian Gough insists he will not let the trauma of his court conviction affect his rugby, declaring: “I’m not one to lie down.”


The 64-times capped Wales international is drawing upon his vast experience as a top rugby player to help him cope with being found guilty of assaulting former Miss Wales Sophia Cahill.


The Welsh lock intends to appeal against the conviction, after last month being ordered to pay £2,130 in fines and costs by magistrates in Croydon.


The 37-year-old forward grabbed and pushed the former beauty queen against his van. Gough had denied the charge of assault by beating. The incident happened in South Croydon just days after she had got engaged to pop star Dane Bowers.


Gough will step back into the public glare for the first time since the court case when he lines up for the Dragons in Friday night’s Welsh derby showdown with his former region the Ospreys.


In his first interview since the conviction, he told WalesOnline: “Throughout you career you face adversity and that happens off the field as well.


“I’m not one to lie down. I’ve had a near 20-year career and it’s how you bounce back. That’s what I am doing – I’m looking forward to Friday night.”


Welsh international rugby star Ian Gough arrives at Croydon Magistrates Court in Croydon,
Welsh international rugby star Ian Gough arrives at Croydon Magistrates Court in Croydon,


 


The Dragons host the Ospreys at Rodney Parade and Gough is focusing on what should be a humdinger of a match.


“I’m a sportsman, a professional rugby player back at my own region and back in front of my home crowd,” he said.


“What’s happened was something unusual but some things are thrown at you. Rugby has taught me a lot of things, self-discipline and control. Those things have been drilled into us so much over the years.”


Gough, who has been hugely popular with supporters of the teams he has appeared for, said it had been difficult dealing with the case and the adverse publicity.


“It’s funny, I sort of compartmentalise it and put it to one side. I am a very positive person, who takes one challenge at a time,” he stressed.


“It’s like lining up for a hurdles race with 10 hurdles and looking at the finish line. If you do that, you will come a cropper at the first hurdle.”


He has received support from his team-mates, the rugby community and the wider public in his ongoing quest to clear his name, having engaged a barrister to lodge an appeal against the conviction.


Miss Cahill said she was so shaken up that she fled in tears back to the south London home she shares with 1990s singer Bowers, to whom she got engaged over the Christmas break.




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She did not attend Gough’s sentencing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in south London but a victim impact statement read out on her behalf said she has been affected by anxiety and panic since the incident.


Prosecutor Christian Wheeliker said the medication she must take means that she is unable to drive, affecting her work as a TV presenter.


But Mark Haslam, defending Gough, contested Miss Cahill’s claim that she cannot drive, saying she had been spotted behind the wheel of her white Jeep in Swansea.


Mr Haslam said a “breakdown in communication” had led to acrimonious phone calls between the pair that evening.


Sentencing him, chairwoman of the bench Cheryl Southern-Petty said that Gough was of “excellent character”. Nevertheless, he was fined £1,050, and ordered to pay a £105 victim surcharge, as well as a £775 contribution to prosecution costs and £200 in compensation to Miss Cahill.


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Article source: http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/id-love-to-paint-portrait-of-rugby-star-hubby-says-modelartist-aoife-29445838.html


Ian Gough on rugby return after assault conviction: "I"ve had a near 20-year ...

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