South East Melbourne Phoenix forward Mitch Creek has had charges of assaulting a woman withdrawn by police.
28-year-old Creek, who was co-captain of the Phoenix, a position he stepped down from once charges were made, was charged on summons with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault over an incident in Melbourne’s western suburbs on November 22 last year.
An emotional Creek, who faced plenty of criticism and brutal attack’s on social media when the charges were made public was told by a police prosecutor during a video link via Sunshine Magistrates Court that the charges were to be withdrawn.
Magistrate Kay Robertson granted the police application and struck out the charges.
Creek was charged in March after a four-month investigation by police. Creek made the decision he would not play or train until further notice, as both the police and Basketball Australia investigated the incident.
After reviewing the situation, Creek was given clearance by the NBL to play on April 1 against Illawarra, where he was booed by rabid fans each time he touched the ball. Creek suffered numerous attacks via social media as a result of his return to play as well.
Creek is now able to return in full to the Phoenix, who until now had agreed to not participate in any community activities during the court proceedings and will now be eligible to join the Australian Boomers camp for selection in the Tokyo Olympics.
The team next face the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
The Phoenix and the NBL are expected to release a statement this afternoon.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
