Oh Mr Gobert, what now....

[matt76]

From todays Courier Mail:

MOTORCYCLE star Anthony Gobert has been banned from central Surfers Paradise after an alleged 'crime rampage' - including the robbery of a 70-year-old man.

Gobert was one of Australia's top motorbike racers in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning an Australian superbike championship and eight world superbike races.

But he was dubbed the sport's 'Wild Child' as his career spun out of control.

Now unemployed, the 33-year-old faced Southport Magistrate's Court today charged with two counts of stealing.

Police alleged that on Tuesday, he snatched two $20 notes from the hand of a 70-year-old man at a Coles supermarket checkout in Surfers Paradise.

The following day, he allegedly snatched a woman's purse on the streets of Surfers.

In his racing heyday, Gobert had a penchant for dying his hair weird and wonderful colours, but appeared in court with his head shaved.

Prosecutor Trudi Jobberns strongly opposed bail, saying his offences were escalating and he was targeting the vulnerable.

But duty solicitor Claire Boothman said the police case was weak and Gobert had been co-operative.

Ms Jobberns retorted: ``That may be the case but he seems not to be co-operative with the public when he goes outside.''

Magistrate Michael Hogan warned an agitated Gobert to stop speaking from the dock while Ms Boothman was representing him.

Gobert told Mr Hogan `I'm a professional motorcycle rider mate' but then said he was unemployed and had applied for a job at Subway.

Mr Hogan described Gobert's alleged 'crime rampage' as 'appalling' but said bail had to be granted.

``I guess if he does it again one more time, there's no way in the world he'll be released,'' the magistrate said.

Gobert was bailed on condition he surrender his passport, report five days a week to police and not enter central Surfers Paradise. He was remanded until June 11.

He clashed verbally with Ms Jobberns as he left the dock, suggesting he might commit a third offence.

``That's it for now.'' Gobert said.

The prosecutor responded: ``Are you going to do another one?''

Outside court, Gobert denied the charges and said they were causing him a 'lot of stress'.

[mick_dundee]

innocent till proven guilty... but it seems the mighty have fallen WAY WAY below what anyone would have expected...

[Lone Wolf]

Gobert applying for a job at Subway

[QLDZX6R]

He's gone from wrestling Superbikes to wrestling pensioners

[robracer]

He is a bloody disgrace, Lucky he went backwards with his racing career cause he is not much of an ambassador for AUS

[badinov]

News travels fast.......had already seen this article on a U.S.A. site. What an unfortunate waste of great talent! The thing is, in another era, the "colourful" Anthony Gobert probably would have gotten away with his "indulgences"! Now he has been reduced to this... ?!

[sneakypete]

i can only pity him...

[kaneg]

He is a bloody disgrace, Lucky he went backwards with his racing career cause he is not much of an ambassador for AUS

Well said Rob,

People today have become sooooo bloody celebrity (geez I hate that word ) minded, that they just put all common sense and reason aside when dealing with a so called "celebrity" .
Gobert is a bike rider , he was good at it, but that doesn't make him a good/bad person or a credible one.
I remember when Mel Meninga was entering politics a few years back and on the first appearance he broke down in tears and left the room... well HELLOO, the dude was a good footballer, but politics requires tact of a different kind , talent for expession publicly, to be able to bring your point accross under pressure , debate etc....
So, who is responsible for placing celebrities up on that pedestal ???
The public ?
No, I don't think so ... innitially the media, since they are in constant need of some larger than life material to flog .
And they have absolutelly no limits in place, nothing and no one is off limits. Crims, murderers etc...the more the merryer ...

Well........I feel better now

[robracer]

Well sounds like he is possibly a crim now so if the shoe fits

[sneakypete]

Well sounds like he is possibly a crim now so if the shoe fits

someone better buy him an '04 ZX-10 then

[Kwak addict]

F%#@*+g trumped up bullshit charges, Goey is like the son of God & is a pillar of society who can do no wrong in my eyes.
That prick Foggy probly set him up.
What a fantastic role model he is for young up & coming Racers.
Show the court the video of the 2 WSBK races at the Island from '96 (on the mighty ZX7R) & no Judge would ever convict him.

[dave#3]

Poor Goey. If he did it, it was fuckin' stupid, but I still feel sorry for the bloke. I think it's tough for these blokes - the rest of us make some sort of minor indiscretion and nobody ever knows; Goey has one and he's plastered all over the papers.

[aggerz]

strange story.. i can't really imagine him falling THAT far but who knows whats really happened..
It's dissapointing if its true but with that said.. my AGV Q3R Gobert Replica helmet is still my pride and joy

[MadFab]

the article

[matt76]

Goey has one and he's plastered all over the papers.

He's had a few more than one...