Speedway ace Darcy Ward issues apology after drink and drugs arrest

10:39am Friday 22nd February 2013 in Latest Sport Photograph of the Author By Ian Wadley

Speedway ace Darcy Ward issues apology after drink and drugs arrest Speedway ace Darcy Ward issues apology after drink and drugs arrest

PIRATES star Darcy Ward apologised to his fans, colleagues and employers after admitting: “I made a mistake.”

Ward today issued a statement via speedway365.com after The Queensland Times reported that he had been convicted of fleeing police on a motorbike while under the influence of drink and drugs.

Pirates ace Ward, 20, admitted a string of offences when he appeared in court in his native Australia, according to reports.

The report claimed Ward had been drinking and smoking marijuana when police attempted to pull him over in his home town of Camira. He is alleged to have fled on an unregistered and uninsured motorbike but was later located by officers. He is reported to have been fined $5,500.

Ward’s statement read: “In regards to the recent incident, which happened here in Australia on December 29, 2012.

“Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere apologies and explain to my fans, staff and committee members for the disappointment that I have caused to them as a result, and for the lack of trust in me that has subsequently resulted.

“I will do everything in my power to earn that trust back.

“Since the matter happened, I have been taking forward steps to get things on track again.

“This was a one-off situation. What everybody is reading makes me into something I am not! I don’t do drugs! I made a mistake!

“I didn’t have any drugs in my possession, nor was I charged. I was the one that confessed to the police that I puffed on a joint earlier that night.

“I would please ask everybody to accept my sincere apology and understand this was a one-off situation.”

Explaining his view of the incident, Ward’s statement added: “I would also like to say that on the night, I was in a park behind my parents’ house on my 50cc mini bike with two mates when the police drove by and noticed us riding in the park.

“As I saw the police, I panicked and rode back down the alleyway to the house.

“Once the police came to the house, I did not hesitate to co-operate with them. As for the marijuana charge, it was something I did on the night and that night only. I am disappointed in myself but I need to move on and I am hoping that we can all do the same together.”

Comments(61)

thereader says...
11:23am Fri 22 Feb 13

Going to issue an apology to Mr. Ward then? Your article and his statement wholly conflict eachother...

A story sensationalised and exaggerated, so called 'Journalism'.

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BIGTONE says...
11:50am Fri 22 Feb 13

An apology is good.
However,one does ask the question....if this had not been released by the The Queensland times and fed back to the Echo,would you have come clean over this issue?

I think you may have had to once UK Border Agency became involved.

Most people make mistakes but I sure as hell would not put my career on the line for something so stupid. My opinion is,you are hanging around with the wrong crowd over there. They will stand and watch your career go down the pan.

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Telscombe Cliffy says...
11:56am Fri 22 Feb 13

This is all it says in the Queeensland Times:-
'AN INTERNATIONAL motorcycle speedway champion from Camira has been convicted of fleeing police while drunk and high on marijuana.

Darcy Stephen Ward, 20, made headlines when charged and later cleared of three counts of sexual assault in Dorset, England, following a speedway event in August 2011. Ward, who is based in the UK and has contracts in Europe, was back in Australia on a break.

He and a group of friends went for a ride along Old Logan Rd at Camira about 4.30am, with Ward on an unregistered motorcycle, to another house only 400m away.

Ward had been drinking heavily and smoking cannabis so when police saw the bike and tried to pull him over, he panicked and fled, mounting the gutter and riding into parkland.

When officers located him Ward was fully co-operative and admitted he had been drinking, taking drugs and only held an expired learner's permit.

He faced Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of liquor or a drug, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

New legislation was introduced late last year where if a person fails to stop for police the minimum penalty is a $5500 fine and two-year disqualification. Ward said he could pay the fine immediately.

His defence lawyer said Ward intended to head back to the UK soon to continue his career in speedway racing.

Magistrate Michael Quinn told Ward he put himself in a precarious situation and stood to lose plenty with his career if he behaved in this way again'

Copied and pasted from their page..

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Ian_Steel says...
12:16pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Would have seemed more sincere if Neil Middleditch had come forward and apologised for his remarks:

"“It is what most young people do these days isn't it? He wasn't racing or putting anyone else's life at risk on the track."

On or off the track no young person should be doing this and no Mr Middleditch it is not what young people do these days.

I hope Kenneth has given both of them a thick ear!

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BIGTONE says...
12:17pm Fri 22 Feb 13

The number 1 story.

http://www.qt.com.au
/news/drunk-speedway
-star-hightails-it-f
rom-cops/1755067/

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suzigirl says...
12:33pm Fri 22 Feb 13

I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!

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Linguist says...
1:44pm Fri 22 Feb 13

suzigirl wrote:
I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!
I don't know how old you are suzigirl, but can you say that you've never made a mistake in life?

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suzigirl says...
2:08pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Linguist wrote:
suzigirl wrote: I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!
I don't know how old you are suzigirl, but can you say that you've never made a mistake in life?
No I can honestly say I have never been caught riding my motorbike after consuming alcohol and drugs!

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boby says...
2:24pm Fri 22 Feb 13

I think the clubs sponsors should have a long hard long, as to whether they want to be associated with the club. We all make mistakes but Darcys have mounted up, and when Neil adds such comments it all adds up to a basic disregard to the supporters and the sponsors. I believe Matt has not stepped in, and nipped this in the bud. There is no respect left for the sponsor, fan or the sport. If i was matt i would loan Darcy out if possible. It would take the heat of the situation allow Darcy the chance to get his life back somewhere else. Neil well ???.
He may have to eat humble pie ??. He would be wise to issue a statement of apology. If he doesnt it would be seen as arrogance. Matt its your business, times are hard, look after yourself first.
At the moment, this is a negative situation. Poole Speedway needs you to do the right thing.If you dont it will be you out of pocket in the long run

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boby says...
2:30pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Imagine what the sponsors feel, when they see allegations of rape, late night fights and now this. All involving a member of your staff ???.

Its time to move on, make the neccesary apologises

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Letcommonsenseprevail says...
2:43pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Why is this overpaid spoilt brat even making the news? No better and no more newsworthy than all the other scroats we bemoan daily on this website...........

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speedway fan says...
2:46pm Fri 22 Feb 13

People keep commenting that 'we all make mistakes' and 'didn't you make one mistake in your life?' Of course, we all make mistakes. The difference is this: mistakes are all very well when they don't affect anybody else; when they begin to affect other people - fans, sponsors, employers who pay good money in hard times to see them perform - then I think those cumulative mistakes (which unless he does something to stop them might one day cost him his visa and his job) rightly attract public criticism. This latest error of judgement, and it being reported in the Echo, might be the best thing that's happened to him in the long run. Like, he might actually learn from these so-called mistakes before it's all too late.

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tim m says...
2:53pm Fri 22 Feb 13

We're not the folks who need an apology and contrition; that label belongs to the UK Border Agency at visa time.

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awsokend says...
3:05pm Fri 22 Feb 13

One wonderful person
a great guy VAW

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speedway fan says...
3:12pm Fri 22 Feb 13

thereader wrote:
Going to issue an apology to Mr. Ward then? Your article and his statement wholly conflict eachother...

A story sensationalised and exaggerated, so called 'Journalism'.
Er, how does it conflict? The story does not conflict with what he has pleaded guilty to. His version of events are his version of events. The facts are that this happened and the case was dealt with in a court of law. And that this is merely the latest in a string of misjudgments made by a public figure who is idolised by tens of thousands of sports fans does actually make it a newsworthy story.
As a 'professional' sportsman, he has a responsibility to his fans who pay his wages and travel to see him. Just one example: I travelled several hundred miles to Swindon from the North of England last October to see him ride, only to find he'd been in a pub 'til the early hours of the morning on the day of this meeting, then got into a fracas and couldn't ride. I'm not saying this was his fault, but he continually puts himself in positions in public places that have no place in the field of professional sport.

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susi.m says...
3:24pm Fri 22 Feb 13

suzigirl wrote:
Linguist wrote:
suzigirl wrote: I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!
I don't know how old you are suzigirl, but can you say that you've never made a mistake in life?
No I can honestly say I have never been caught riding my motorbike after consuming alcohol and drugs!
main mistake I made was marrying my first miserable husband :-).
I had an SP30 about 7 years ago but thats my only law breaking. I guess Im just a very boring, middle of the road, hard working tax payer.

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B'mth bred says...
3:29pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Don't see what all the fuss is about. He was on holiday with his mates , got drunk and smoked a joint. Sounds like most Brits abroad ideal holiday.
Lay off the kid, he has come clean, has been dealt a heavty fine and has apologised. He is young and needs support to help with his sudden stardom not criticism, otherwise his exceptional talent will be lost to UK speedway

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awsokend says...
4:04pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Biggest mistake of his life was having two halves of lager and getting slapped at Sturminster Marshall. stupid boy.

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speedway fan says...
4:06pm Fri 22 Feb 13

B'mth bred wrote:
Don't see what all the fuss is about. He was on holiday with his mates , got drunk and smoked a joint. Sounds like most Brits abroad ideal holiday.
Lay off the kid, he has come clean, has been dealt a heavty fine and has apologised. He is young and needs support to help with his sudden stardom not criticism, otherwise his exceptional talent will be lost to UK speedway
He has 'come clean' only after this news report. The incident actually happened last year and the court case itself was initally reported on Feb 14. He only 'came clean' today - the day after the news story in the Echo. Coincidence? He is now - again, AFTER the news report - being offered help and support. So in a way, good will come out of this, otherwise who knows what serious mistakes and misjudgements were coming next? If he does make another blooper, it will most likely be reported again. And again. With greater news value. Nobody wants Speedway's Paul Gascoigne

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wendy skinner says...
5:33pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Isn't it amazing how quick the Poole fans turn on their own. Not so long ago it was BP and years ago Michael Lee and Malcom Simmons. Where's the loyalty. Ok Darcy has been a lad, but its nothing to do with his job. What he does off track should be his business. On track he is awesome and races fairly, all I need.

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GAHmusic says...
6:17pm Fri 22 Feb 13

He does a much better job than his promotor. Yesterdays story almost had me baying for his blood but reading his statement today I'm more inclined to give him a chance.

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Strawbs_78 says...
7:47pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Yes this time darcy has made a huge mistake, and yes the pirates management are going to have to think seriously about continuing to employ him. However it really annoys me when people try to make example of professional sportsman. Its just their job, they're no more guilty for doing what they've done than if they worked in a bank, or an insurance company or if they were a builder. You say he answers to the people that pay his wages but that's the same for all of us!

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mmmmmmm says...
7:57pm Fri 22 Feb 13

He doesn't need to apologise to me,I think it's awesome.


Done it a few times meself :)

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speedway fan says...
8:36pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Strawbs_78 wrote:
Yes this time darcy has made a huge mistake, and yes the pirates management are going to have to think seriously about continuing to employ him. However it really annoys me when people try to make example of professional sportsman. Its just their job, they're no more guilty for doing what they've done than if they worked in a bank, or an insurance company or if they were a builder. You say he answers to the people that pay his wages but that's the same for all of us!
It's 'just their job', is it? So if the Border Agencies start to take a dim view of drink and drug motorcylce riding on unlicenced machinces and he can't get a visa and can't ride speedway, or there's a speedway GP in the States and he's not allowed into the country, you're happy with that? Depriving fans of a great talent? He has to realise he's now an international ambassador for his sport, a sport that is very much family orientated and where riders are role models for young fans. The same can not quite be said for a builder. Unless Mr W wants a job as a builder, that is - which if he doesn't wise up might be sooner rather than later. Only he probably wouldn't be able to get one with his record. And do you really think the bank would keep you on if you suddenly had a record for drink, drugs, and riding an uninsured bike in public without a licence - and found to have fled the cops? Why did he high-tail it if he didn't think he'd done something seriously stupid and wrong???
But anyway. . please carry on defending the lad and missing the point . . you are starting to sound like Neil Middleditch. You AREN'T him, are you?

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white 147 says...
8:39pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Should be sacked

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thereader says...
9:09pm Fri 22 Feb 13

'Speedway Fan' read his statement - read the echo's article and whilst your at it - read the QT article. You will then see how the echo have sensationalised the story forgetting the facts and how the QT have reported with the facts.

It's not hard to see. And as a so called speedway fan - good job of dragging one of the stars of the future through the dirt, almost a better job than the echo 'speedways Paul Gascoigne' are you for real? Make it sound like the kid is a drug crazed alcoholic!

And please remember people - he didn't get convicted of anything.

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micklevy says...
9:11pm Fri 22 Feb 13

How do you think Aussie fans feel? We have'nt been able to see him ride for two seasons because of his off track antics.We gave him some slack in his court case and were all waiting to see him again this year, but, he has another off track skirmish. OK we're getting used to it, besides he's made the SGP. Then he comes home to recuperate. , with NO competetive riding planned. That's OK, SGP to think about. But then we have the Motorcross prang without safety equipment which could have ruled him out of the start of the SGP, had he sustained another concussion. Now we have this incident in quick succession. Nobody is going to deny that he has the MOST NATURAL talent around today, but Jeez, Darcy, if you keep this up, i'll never get to see you ride at Gillman again. World Fame is at you're feet, stop chucking it away!

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speedway fan says...
9:15pm Fri 22 Feb 13

PS - no disrespect to builders! Keep yer hard hats on! Bankers, on the other hand, they can read into it wot they want!

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spokes says...
9:40pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Won would wonder readng most posts above !how many little dark secreats are hidden in there closets? Remember the saying"he who has NO sin , Shouldn't throw stones at glass houses ". Also, i would agree with Micklevy and his commments !' Darcy be good '

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speedway fan says...
9:52pm Fri 22 Feb 13

thereader wrote:
'Speedway Fan' read his statement - read the echo's article and whilst your at it - read the QT article. You will then see how the echo have sensationalised the story forgetting the facts and how the QT have reported with the facts.

It's not hard to see. And as a so called speedway fan - good job of dragging one of the stars of the future through the dirt, almost a better job than the echo 'speedways Paul Gascoigne' are you for real? Make it sound like the kid is a drug crazed alcoholic!

And please remember people - he didn't get convicted of anything.
Er, who says he wasn't convicted? He says, that's who. And you. But if he pleads guilty in a court of law to the charges put to him, he is convicted, and therefore has convictions on his record. The law is the law. And it is there for a reason.
I agree with you that there is indeed conflict between what he says in his statement of apology and the facts; but the facts are the the ones reported in court case. Full stop. Ends. The rest is subjective interpretation and conjecture. So, if he's not convicted and he didn't take drugs and didn't ride around unlawfully on an unlicensed and unregistered motorcycle while drunk and on drugs, and he didn't run away from the cops, and if he has got nothing to be sorry about,why is he now apologising like an overgrown schoolboy? There is only one answer to that.
As I say, I love speedway and I like Ward's on-track style - it's his off-track style, which is starting to become his undoing, that is the problem and could yet see him prevented from riding in his most important season yet. Fortunately, he appears to be showing signs of contrition, which is heartening. As he himself says, he needs to earn back the trust of those that make it all happen for him. All this is a hard lesson, but one that cannot come too soon, as his ability to hit the headlines for not riding a bike are becoming embarrassingly commonplace.

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Ashleyafcb says...
9:53pm Fri 22 Feb 13

GROW UP YOUR 20 IN A PARK ON A MINI BIKE END OF TOPIC

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speedway fan says...
10:10pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Ashleyafcb wrote:
GROW UP YOUR 20 IN A PARK ON A MINI BIKE END OF TOPIC
Well said! (You are directing this flash of brilliant advice to DW, aren't you? Oh, you're not. Silly me. Silly everyone! Let's see what the border agency thinks is silly, and who should grow up. (Actually, I do agree that this indiscretion taken alone is slightly daft, but daft act multiplied by daft act multiplied by daft act-squared adds up to one rather big daft boy. Like I say, if he did nothing wrong, he shouldn't have apologised. Unless he did it because he's struggling for sponsors, struggling to gain the trust of tens of thousands of speedway fans and several quite important people at the visa office? Mmmm. . . . .

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BIGTONE says...
10:22pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Ashleyafcb wrote:
GROW UP YOUR 20 IN A PARK ON A MINI BIKE END OF TOPIC
What a pillock quote.
No wonder you are an AFCB tinpot fan.

So by your reckoning.......your 20 in a park on a mini bike( you forgot to mention out of your face on drink and drugs at 4am after a good session) and you kill a couple of people fleeing from the police.....That's end of topic.

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Strawbs_78 says...
10:36pm Fri 22 Feb 13

I think speedway fan has missed the point of what im saying. Yes i think he's done wrong and his employers need to think about what punishment they deem apropriate. I'm simply saying that his punishment should be no more harsh because he rides a motorbike for a living than if he did a 'normal' job. The same as a if a footballer is caught drink driving, he's no more guilty than if you or i were caught drink driving. His profession isn't relevant.

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boby says...
10:45pm Fri 22 Feb 13

It would be better for darcy to have a year away from the uk . It would be better for all concerned . He has burnt his bridges here . It would keep him away from the limelight , and repair his career he may come back later in his career. . Look at Alex ferguson,at Manchester united he has always done what is right for the club . He has let certain difficult characters to move on , and still had continued
success. It's alright being concerned for darcy , but at the end of the day it's business . A year away will stop him damaging Poole pirates and matt can assess his options from then . Neil well if An apology is not forthcoming , we can only presume that he is not the person we thought he is . Does he deserve the managers role ?? . Well he doesn't have the respect of the Poole supporters . Best treated with the contempt his comments deserve

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speedway fan says...
10:50pm Fri 22 Feb 13

BIGTONE wrote:
Ashleyafcb wrote:
GROW UP YOUR 20 IN A PARK ON A MINI BIKE END OF TOPIC
What a pillock quote.
No wonder you are an AFCB tinpot fan.

So by your reckoning.......your 20 in a park on a mini bike( you forgot to mention out of your face on drink and drugs at 4am after a good session) and you kill a couple of people fleeing from the police.....That's end of topic.
Nice one Big Tone - the voice of reason and someone with an eye on the wider picture - not to mention why the letter of the law exists.
If you are aged 20 on a mini bike, maybe worse for wear, in the front room of your own house, now that's a different matter. Do what you like.
Yes he's only a young man - and most likely decent enough at heart (nobody thinks he's a drug-crazed alcoholic, Mr or Mrs Miss-the-Point) but so what? He has to wake up to the fact that he's now a professional sportsman with an international reputation, who according to even his own bosses, now requires professional help to get his life back on track. I wish him the best and hope not to hear another non-speedway related story about him.

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speedway fan says...
11:02pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Strawbs_78 wrote:
I think speedway fan has missed the point of what im saying. Yes i think he's done wrong and his employers need to think about what punishment they deem apropriate. I'm simply saying that his punishment should be no more harsh because he rides a motorbike for a living than if he did a 'normal' job. The same as a if a footballer is caught drink driving, he's no more guilty than if you or i were caught drink driving. His profession isn't relevant.
Well I'm not saying he should necessarily be punished, further than what has already happened to him. Whether he now can ride speedway in the UK or elsewhere should be enough of a punishment or a wake-up call. If I, or most likely anyone else was 'done' for what he's done I would probably lose my job. His profession is relevant in this matter, as sportsmen tend to be shielded from the reality of their actions and treated differently by their bosses who desperately don't want to lose their prize assets. Ward is irreplaceable in speedway. It's not as if you can just draft Joe Bloggs into the team. This is why sportsmen's indiscretions are generally accommodated and indulged. Unfortunately they are not above the law and above what is right and wrong.

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thereader says...
12:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13

To quote his statement as featured on the Speedway365 website

"As the matter was dealt with on the 13/02/2013, Magistrate Quinn who sentenced me, with no convictions recorded."

No convictions recorded? So wasn't actually convicted of anything.

Stet Docket probably.

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speedway fan says...
1:09pm Sat 23 Feb 13

thereader wrote:
To quote his statement as featured on the Speedway365 website

"As the matter was dealt with on the 13/02/2013, Magistrate Quinn who sentenced me, with no convictions recorded."

No convictions recorded? So wasn't actually convicted of anything.

Stet Docket probably.
If you are sentenced, you have convictions. He might not understand that but he doesn't appear to understand a lot of things.

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speedway fan says...
1:18pm Sat 23 Feb 13

speedway fan wrote:
thereader wrote:
To quote his statement as featured on the Speedway365 website

"As the matter was dealt with on the 13/02/2013, Magistrate Quinn who sentenced me, with no convictions recorded."

No convictions recorded? So wasn't actually convicted of anything.

Stet Docket probably.
If you are sentenced, you have convictions. He might not understand that but he doesn't appear to understand a lot of things.
And to reiterate the language used in the original court report, and the language used on other news sites such as Sky Sports and BBC, the word convicted is used. These are the facts. His interpretation of them are not.

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speedway fan says...
1:18pm Sat 23 Feb 13

speedway fan wrote:
thereader wrote:
To quote his statement as featured on the Speedway365 website

"As the matter was dealt with on the 13/02/2013, Magistrate Quinn who sentenced me, with no convictions recorded."

No convictions recorded? So wasn't actually convicted of anything.

Stet Docket probably.
If you are sentenced, you have convictions. He might not understand that but he doesn't appear to understand a lot of things.
And to reiterate the language used in the original court report, and the language used on other news sites such as Sky Sports and BBC, the word convicted is used. These are the facts. His interpretation of them are not.

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thereader says...
1:40pm Sat 23 Feb 13

In Australia law permits courts to find a person guilty of an offence but not proceed to record a conviction. This can be done when adjourning a case on condition of good behaviour or when giving a fine or correction order as recording a conviction could harm the offenders job prospects.

Darcy paid quite a hefty fine $5500 AUD?

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BIGTONE says...
3:34pm Sat 23 Feb 13

I think being fined over 5 grand is a conviction of the criminal offence you are being fined for.
Especially the amount we are talking here. You would not have legal grounds to fine somebody that much if a criminal element was not part of the fine or offence.
To be fined there has to be an admission of guilt or case proven in order for a fine to be administered.

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speedway fan says...
5:19pm Sat 23 Feb 13

I bow to your better knowledge of Australian law. But a technicality really makes no difference to what is right and wrong, both legally and morally.

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BIGTONE says...
8:11pm Sat 23 Feb 13

speedway fan wrote:
I bow to your better knowledge of Australian law. But a technicality really makes no difference to what is right and wrong, both legally and morally.
Yes I agree speedway.
For those that cannot get their heads around it.............the offences were deemed as criminal that's why it was dealt with by a court and not the police.
When a court issues a fine you have been found guilty of the said criminal offence. This applies in most countries of the world.
Such a shame he got in with the wrong crowd.

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ryanrendle says...
9:22pm Sat 23 Feb 13

I am a life-long Poole Pirates supporter and nothing has thrilled me more than seeing Chris Holder and Darcy Ward riding together. But we have seen other examples of wasted talent and Darcy has prooved he is a loose cannon who has and will continue to bring the Pirates into dis-repute. He will never achieve his full potential and I think Matt Ford should stand up an get rid of him now. We need true Pirates and not criminals!

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jakeysredd says...
11:12pm Sat 23 Feb 13

speedway fan wrote:
I bow to your better knowledge of Australian law. But a technicality really makes no difference to what is right and wrong, both legally and morally.
Thing that is confusing is that all Aussies are convicts otherwise they would be aboriginies and DW isnt an aboriginie so he must be a convict,

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gameon says...
11:20pm Sat 23 Feb 13

ryanrendle wrote:
I am a life-long Poole Pirates supporter and nothing has thrilled me more than seeing Chris Holder and Darcy Ward riding together. But we have seen other examples of wasted talent and Darcy has prooved he is a loose cannon who has and will continue to bring the Pirates into dis-repute. He will never achieve his full potential and I think Matt Ford should stand up an get rid of him now. We need true Pirates and not criminals!
Correct ryanrendle I think Middleditch should come out and totaly detract his supportive comments of Ward or He should go as well The apologies from ward cut no ice with me this is the third time that we know about how many chances would any of us get given his previous if it were us in a job ?? Get Rid no ones bigger than this club .

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boby says...
10:51am Sun 24 Feb 13

Matt by doing nothing has shown complete lack of leadership in regards to middleditch and ward . Unfortunately this will leave a bitter taste in everybody's mouths. The complete running of Poole speedway will look from the sports and supporters point of view as one of a complete shambles . The sport is dependant on sky sports and sponsors financial support. We need this to continue in order to pay the bills and survive. At this moment in time I would say matt has got to close
middleditch and ward and allowed this to cloud his judgement .

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hammer83 says...
3:31pm Sun 24 Feb 13

suzigirl wrote:
Linguist wrote:
suzigirl wrote: I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!
I don't know how old you are suzigirl, but can you say that you've never made a mistake in life?
No I can honestly say I have never been caught riding my motorbike after consuming alcohol and drugs!
So you've consumed alcohol and drugs then - That's what your statement says!!!
Hand yourself in now oh thee of double standards.....

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boby says...
3:52pm Sun 24 Feb 13

The club has decided to ignore the fans . It just amazes me that when you see that Poole council support speedway in the town . This does not send out the correct message to the public . The club is about the supporters , the people that pay the riders . I can't believe in this day of age . Here we have a rider who is obviously ignorant of the standards he should be setting to the people that pay him. That the manager has no interest in such values either. I would rather have a losing team with seven decent riders . Is matt going to realise what the overall image / down effect this has at the club. Yes darcy does need help . It looks like Neil is certainly not the person to help him or the club. It would be better for darcy to be elsewhere , take the heat of . Where he can repair his reputation and himself .

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Moggy 2 says...
7:02pm Sun 24 Feb 13

What a total waste of space he is - a young lad who has it all and throws it all back.

He should show more respect. I for one have never liked him - yes he is a gutsy young rider, and exciting to watch - but as for personality he has none

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suzigirl says...
11:19am Mon 25 Feb 13

hammer83 wrote:
suzigirl wrote:
Linguist wrote:
suzigirl wrote: I bet you he has made more than one mistake - too late mate - he needs to be made an example of and banned from Speedway. There are a lot of impressionable children that go to Speedway and surely that sends out all the wrong signals to them!
I don't know how old you are suzigirl, but can you say that you've never made a mistake in life?
No I can honestly say I have never been caught riding my motorbike after consuming alcohol and drugs!
So you've consumed alcohol and drugs then - That's what your statement says!!! Hand yourself in now oh thee of double standards.....
NO I never drink alcohol and ride my motorbike or have ever consumed drugs because you need to be in complete control of your motoribike to watch out for muppets like you!

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jacksboy says...
8:48pm Mon 25 Feb 13

when i was darcys age i was add up for being drunk and disorderly,once on my best friends stag night and about three weeks later on a pub crawl with some of my mates,each time we was in the wrong place at the wrong time,darcys problem is the same his only a young lad and is still growing up give him space he will learn,i am 71 now i learnt from my mistakes and darcy will do the same,he is a dam good rider which the sport needs,my advice i would give to him is dont touch drugs me and my friends dident and if you dont you will be fine,with your talent i recon with in two years you could be world champion and the world would be your oyster, good luck and good riding.

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PeeGee says...
9:27pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Ward has also blocked Twitter users who have mentioned his account name in any sort of critical way. He is either to stupid or too arrogant to realise that fans have a rights to voice opinions (no matter how diverse). My opinion is that I won't be at Wimborne Road until he is gone. My money will not be funding his idiocy. Let's face it, he only "apologised" after the news came out over here. Stupidity, arrogance, or both?

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jacksboy says...
8:15pm Tue 26 Feb 13

I go to speedway to watch racing,what ever he does in his own time is his concern as long has he has not hurt anyone i can not see what the problem is,i am sure that Matt will sought him out and keep him on the right track from now on,remember his only still a young lad,if any one decides not to go and watch him because of this it will be their loss,i am sure i will still be going.

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suzigirl says...
11:54am Wed 27 Feb 13

jacksboy wrote:
I go to speedway to watch racing,what ever he does in his own time is his concern as long has he has not hurt anyone i can not see what the problem is,i am sure that Matt will sought him out and keep him on the right track from now on,remember his only still a young lad,if any one decides not to go and watch him because of this it will be their loss,i am sure i will still be going.
Let's just hope that if he comes back to this country he does not make another "mistake" which might involve killing or injuring a member of your family - your attitude would certainly change then!

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jacksboy says...
8:15pm Wed 27 Feb 13

like i said he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,darcy will be back in this country and very soon to,racing his bike in the way we know he can,there is a lot of people out there that are a lot worse than what darcy is,he is no danger to the public at all and i am sure Matt will keep him on the straight and narrow.

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andydixon says...
2:08pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I read this article with visions of some mad race across australia with police cruisers chasing some mad biker across the outback, narrowly missing the odd Aborigine in the clouds of dust. The reality of a stoned, paranoid, half-cut holidaying youth panicking and riding a toy bike up an alleyway was dissapointing.

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jacksboy says...
8:00pm Tue 12 Mar 13

that mad biker will be world champion one day,so who will be mad then,not darcy i am sure, go darcy show them some real riding.

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sinister says...
5:50am Thu 14 Mar 13

B'mth bred wrote:
Don't see what all the fuss is about. He was on holiday with his mates , got drunk and smoked a joint. Sounds like most Brits abroad ideal holiday.
Lay off the kid, he has come clean, has been dealt a heavty fine and has apologised. He is young and needs support to help with his sudden stardom not criticism, otherwise his exceptional talent will be lost to UK speedway
agreed.

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