The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today considered a charge issued by HRV Stewards against licensed person Mr Joe Pace.
Mr Pace was charged under Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 247 which states:
A person attending before the Controlling Body its members or employees, the Stewards, officials, or at any proceeding under these rules, shall not speak or behave in a malicious,intimidatory or otherwise improper manner.
The charge related to the conduct of Mr Pace towards Stewards when he attended before them at Tabcorp Park Melton on 25 September 2015.
In determining the appropriate penalty the HRV RAD Board were mindful of Mr Pace’s guilty plea, that he had apologised to the HRV Stewards at an early stage and his personal circumstances which were outlined.
The HRV RAD Board also noted the principles of both specific and general deterrence and that the Stewards have a difficult job to fulfil which must be able to be performed without being subjected to improper behaviour.
The HRV RAD Board were also mindful of Mr Pace’s offence record which resulted in a previously suspended fine of $250 for a breach of ARHR 231(2) on 30 July 2015 being imposed under the provisions of ARHR 256(5)(c).
In light of the aforementioned factors the HRV RAD Board imposed a fine of $500 for this breach of ARHR 247.
In total Mr Pace was fined $750.
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board