Marshall charges dismissed

An assualt charge against Benji Marshall has been dismissed, leaving the Wests Tigers star free to help his club’s charge to the NRL finals.

A magistrate sitting at Downing Centre Local Court threw out the charges which relate back to an incident in a Sydney McDonald’s restaurant in March.

A jubilant Marshall said he wants to concentrate on helping his team

In a statement, he said: “It’s been a pretty tough time and I’m very pleased with the outcome of the court proceedings.”

“I want to thank my legal team as well as Wests Tigers, the NRL, my team mates and family and friends for their support.

“Now let’s play Rugby League.”

Tigers Chief Executive Stephen Humphreys said that the club was extremely pleased with the outcome.

“Whilst we were always convinced of Benji’s innocence, it is, nevertheless, a great relief that the matter has now been successfully concluded,” Humphreys said.

“Benji and our Club have been inundated with messages of support and I know that these messages have been a source of great comfort for Benji throughout this matter.

“I’d like to publicly congratulate and commend Benji on the exemplary manner in which he has conducted himself throughout this difficult period.

“We all admire Benji for his extraordinary talents on the football field and he also continues to earn our great respect for the quality of his character and the invaluable work he does in the community.”