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'Absolutely ridiculous': Hadley denies assault allegation
Date
September 27, 2012 - 3:56PM
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Eamonn Duff
Eamonn Duff
Sun-Herald senior investigative writer
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A party at the house of radio broadcaster Ray Hadley has led to assault claims.
A party at the house of radio broadcaster Ray Hadley has led to assault claims. Photo: Peter Rae
When Sydney radio host Ray Hadley opened his house to more than 60 students on Friday night, it was always likely to be a boisterous affair.
The teenagers - all friends of Hadley's daughter - were in celebration mode having just attended their year 12 formal at Hills Grammar School and when they arrived at the celebrity broadcaster's home, many were carrying alcohol.
Within several hours the graduation party had turned ugly: Hadley's electric front gates were allegedly kicked off their hinges and there were several heated flashpoints with a drunk student believed to be responsible.
Today, NSW Police confirmed an investigation had been launched following a complaint from a 17-year-old boy relating to both the 2GB presenter and his son, Daniel, who is a serving police officer.
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The boy alleges he was assaulted by both men. Hadley's camp has described his account as "absolutely ridiculous".
The Herald understands NSW Police is also addressing counter claims, by the Hadleys, that the teenager may have been responsible for property damage and the assault of an off-duty police officer.
According to the boy's statement, lodged at Castle Hill police station yesterday and obtained by the Herald, Hadley's daughter posted a Facebook Event online about one month ago, inviting fellow students to her family's Kenthurst house for a "year 12 after party".
When the school's formal sit-down dinner had ended about 11.30pm, students began making their way back to the Hadley residence.
By 2am, the boy - who had arrived with a large hip flask of whisky - was "pretty intoxicated", adding: "That's when everything started to unfold."
After falling to the floor, the teenager claims Daniel kicked him while he was trying to get up.
A series of verbal exchanges with Daniel and two other off duty police officers allegedly followed.
The teenager then alleged: "I felt my head being hit from behind. I turned around and saw Ray Hadley standing right behind me. He was that close, he was almost touching my shoulders. As I turned around he grabbed my shirt by the right shoulder, lifted it up, scrunched it in his hand and it nearly choked me. He said words similar to: 'You're out of here you little turd."'
The student said that, while Hadley was dragging him down the driveway by his shirt, he continued: "Shut your f---ing mouth ... say one more word ... I'll roll you."
As they reached the end of the driveway, Hadley then allegedly let go of the shirt and said: "There's the gate. Use it."
According to the boy's statement, Hadley returned a short time later, yelling words similar to: "One of you little c---s broke my gate."
The boy denies damaging any property.
The broadcaster was unavailable for comment today - he is in hospital undergoing tests after reportedly contracting pneumonia at the London Olympics.
However, addressing the incident, Hadley's lawyer Peter Dawson said any claims that Hadley or his son had acted violently were "absolutely ridiculous".
"These students arrived back there after midnight and Ray's instructions were that only those over the age of 18 were allowed to drink.
"As you know, he is not terribly well at the moment so he certainly wasn't supervising.
"This boy was heavily drunk and there are numerous witnesses that will confirm that Ray acted nothing but appropriately. They will also confirm that the boy assaulted an off-duty police officer.
"He was escorted off the premises for both the assault and for his foul language. That's when we believe he took his revenge out on the gate."
A NSW Police spokesman said that, as the investigation was current and ongoing, "it would be inappropriate to comment further".
Do you know more? eduff@fairfax.com.au; twitter: @eamonnduff
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