Bird found guilty

Catalans star Greg Bird will be sentenced in June after being found guilty of recklessly wounding his girlfriend and lying to police.

The Australian back rower had denied glassing American girlfriend Katie Milligan following an argument at their Cronulla apartment in August, but pleaded guilty to a public mischief offence.

But he was found guilty of one count of reckless wounding and one count of making a false accusation to police after he attempted to pin blame on his flatmate.

He was released on bail and will return to Sydney for sentencing on June 22.

The incident cost Bird his NRL contract with Cronulla Sharks, and also denied him a British visa for his proposed move to Bradford, before he eventually signed for the Dragons, who say Bird will appeal.

Catalans General Manager Christophe Levy said: “I have just talked to his manager Chris Orr and he is going to appeal the decision,

“We will do our best to get him back as soon as possible. We are still searching for flights.

“We want our doctor and physio to check him out.”

Bird is fighting to be fit for the Magic Weekend in Edinburgh with an abductor muscle injury which ruled him out of Sunday’s 44-10 defeat at Hull KR.

Bird had led Catalans to four consecutive wins before Sunday’s loss.