James Roberts, a celebrated former NRL player known for his speed, has had drug and theft-related charges against him dropped by police just before a scheduled court appearance. The 32-year-old, who played over 160 games for clubs including the Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos, had pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing a prohibited substance and suspected stolen property.
On 30 July 2024, police alleged that Roberts was in possession of 0.3 grams of cannabis and $1,400 in cash they believed to be stolen when he was stopped by authorities. However, during the court proceedings, it became apparent that the evidence linking Roberts to these allegations was insufficient. His lawyer, Najee Makhoul, asserted that there was no substantive proof tying the former athlete to the purported crimes.
Makhoul clarified that the cash was not illicitly obtained, explaining that Roberts often received cash payments for his appearances in the NRL and may have made withdrawals from his bank account. He described the police’s assumption of the cash being stolen as completely unfounded. Furthermore, the small quantity of cannabis, which the police attributed to Roberts, was actually found in a passenger’s bag, leading to questions regarding its association with him.
Following the dismissal of the charges, Roberts, who did not attend the hearing, expressed relief about the outcome and is eager to move past the incident and focus on his future. Makhoul emphasised the fortunate resolution of the case, indicating that Roberts is keen to return to his usual activities without the cloud of legal trouble hanging over him.
Nicknamed “Jimmy the Jet,” Roberts enjoyed a successful NRL career from 2011 to 2022, featuring prominently in representative teams like New South Wales during their victorious 2018 State of Origin series. His experience also included participation in the Indigenous All Stars and City Origin matches, marking him as a notable player in the sport.