Bird convicted over glass attack

Bird was denied a British work visa in February

Catalans Dragons star Greg Bird has been convicted by a Sydney court following an attack on his girlfriend.

Bird was found guilty of one count of reckless wounding and one count of making a false accusation to police after attempting to blame his flatmate.

The Catalans skipper, 25, had denied glassing girlfriend Katie Milligan in the face following an argument at their Cronulla home in August of last year.

The ex-Australia player has indicated he will appeal against the conviction.

He was released on bail and is set to be sentenced on 22 June.

Catalans general manager Christophe Levy said the club are trying to find Bird a flight back to France to check upon his fitness ahead of Sunday's match against champions Leeds Rhinos, part of the Super League's Magic Weekend in Edinburgh.

Bird damaged an abductor muscle during the Dragons' 38-6 win over Salford 10 days ago.

"We will do our best to get him back as soon as possible," said Levy. "We are still searching for flights.

"We want our doctor and physio to check him out."

Bird, who missed the Dragons' 44-10 defeat by Hull KR on Sunday to fly back to Australia for the trial, pleaded guilty to a public mischief offence.

Magistrate Roger Clisdell, presiding at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, said Bird had been lying to cover his "guilty mind".

606: DEBATE I'd read at the time that if found guilty his contract would be cancelled BullishGunner

Police alleged Bird had attempted to deceive them when he claimed his flatmate had hit Milligan in the face with a glass during an argument.

But the court heard the flatmate had been playing golf at the time of the alleged incident.

Bird was subsequently sacked by the Cronulla Sharks, while a proposed move to Bradford collapsed in February after he was denied a visa to work in Britain.

French club Dragons subsequently signed the stand-off until the end of the Super League season in March.

The stand-off was appointed captain after just two substitute appearances, leading the Dragons to four straight wins.

But his future in Perpignan is now in serious doubt following his conviction.

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