Controversies
On 25 August 2008, Bird appeared in Sutherland Local Court charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on his 24-year-old American girlfriend Katie Milligan at his flat in Cronulla. It was alleged that he had smashed a glass into her face. It was reported that she is undergoing surgery for a fractured eye socket and facial injuries. He was granted bail. The Cronulla club's chief executive, Tony Zappia, advised Bird would be stood down from the playing roster pending further investigations. Ms Milligan had moved to Sydney to be with Bird earlier in the month, having met him in Las Vegas while he was on holiday there earlier in the year. In September 2008 Bird's legal representative was advised that Bird would be facing additional charges of public mischief and false accusation.
The charges against Bird led to the British Government denying him a work permit to take up a playing position with Bradford Bulls.
On 13 March 2009 Bird again appeared in Sutherland Local Court on five charges (1 charge with 4 "backup" charges) of common assault against a female at Cronulla on 19 January 2008. This matter was not related to the case involving his girlfriend. His accuser was found to have been the aggressor in the incident, and Bird was cleared of all charges by the magistrate.
On the 28 April 2009 Bird was found guilty of one count of reckless wounding of his girlfriend and one count of making a false accusation to police after attempting to blame his flatmate. On 22 June 2009 he was sentenced to a maximum of 16 months imprisonment.
On appeal in November 2009, Bird was acquitted of the charges, after both he and his girlfriend gave evidence to support his claims.
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