Geraldton football coach Justin James Crudeli to stand trial on assault charges

A Geraldton football coach is set to stand trial after pleading not guilty to assaulting two people in February. Justin James Crudeli, 37, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday after being charged with failing to leave the Geraldton Hotel when directed to do so, common assault, and assault occasioning bodily harm. Details of the alleged incidents were not heard in court, but it was revealed the charges related to two alleged victims. Lawyer Malcolm Ayoub said he had viewed security camera footage from the alleged incident and was “more than happy” for Mr Crudeli to enter not guilty pleas to all charges. Under his bail conditions, Mr Crudeli is barred from entering all licensed premises in WA. But Mr Ayoub requested these conditions be varied to allow his client to access Rovers Football Club, where Mr Crudeli is a coach. He also asked Mr Crudeli be permitted to attend a Meekatharra pub for meals when he is stationed at the Gascoyne town for work. Both requests to vary bail were accepted. Mr Crudeli will appear in the same court again on June 13, when the matters are expected to be listed for a two-day trial.