Brad Takairangi free to play for Hull KR after being spared jail as club issue statement

Hull KR say Brad Takairangi will be available for selection after the Rovers star avoided jail for a number of serious driving offences. Takairangi admitted to dangerous driving and drink-driving while in a Mercedes A200 on the A63 dual carriageway on January 2.

He was found to have drove his Mercedes the wrong way along the A63 in the early hours before crashing head-on into a police vehicle. He was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time as he hurtled westbound while on the eastbound side of the dual carriageway. A police officer who was in the car had been left with an injured knee and had suffered serious psychological effects, Hull Crown Court heard. A blood test revealed that he had 209mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

As part of being given a one-year suspended prison sentence, Takairangi will have to make his "considerable skills and experience" available to nine local clubs as part of an unpaid work order. He will have to fulfil 300 hours' unpaid work, the maximum that can be imposed.

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Following news of the sentence, Rovers released a statement. It read: "Hull KR can confirm Hull Crown Courthas today sentenced Brad Takairangi to a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 2 years and 300 hours community service for serious driving offences.

"The club have also undertaken and concluded an internal disciplinary procedure and Brad is now available for selection if, and when required. The club are satisfied that Brad understands the gravity of this one off incident and its potential consequences on an otherwise exemplary record, that he is genuinely remorseful and is keen to make reparation through his