Blimey

It's not a habit of mine to repeat stories read on other blogs but here's a story that demands attention - picked up by Big Dai over at Confessions of a Rugby Referee and originated by Dave over at The Red Terror.

Last week the Toronto Star reported that a Mississauga high school student had been found guilty of the manslaughter of a rival player after committing a spear tackle during a rugby match two years ago.

The teen, who will will be sentenced at a later date, was found to have committed manslaughter when he lifted his opponent into the air, his feet facing upwards, and drove him head first into the ground. The victim died from a serious head injury a few days after the incident

In rendering his decision, the judge commented:

"The defendant intentionally applied force that was outside the rules of the game or any standard by which the game is played.

"The defendant committed an assault, an unlawful act. That unlawful act caused death. The defendant is therefore guilty of manslaughter."

Food for thought...