Ex-rugby league star Danny Williams has avoided jail after being convicted for glassing a woman in a pub in Sydney.
Williams, 49, enjoyed an impressive career in Australia with NRL sides North Sydney Bears and Melbourne Storm and later spent two seasons with London Broncos.
Williams appeared in court in Manly, Sydney, on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm during the incident on October 1.
The former second-row, who was known for his hardman approach on the pitch, hit the victim after she complained about him singing and swearing at The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay.
A court heard how the woman said to Williams: "Hey mate, you're singing really loudly and you are right in my ear." She then threw beer over her shoulder onto him as he continued singing.
Williams, who now runs a cleaning company, is said to have thrown beer back at the woman before smashing a glass on the back of her head, leaving her with a cut, although she didn't go to hospital. The former Ireland player fled the bar but was later found and arrested.
He was handed a $1000 (£560) fine and an 18-month correction order after his barrister said the incident was out of character.
Williams' NRL career ended in shame when he was given an 18-week suspension after a sickening blow on Mark O'Neill, knocking his opponent out.
He claimed he was suffering from post-traumatic amnesia as a result of a high tackle from O'Neill but medical experts proved otherwise.
