Clutha rugby players take a bath – together

Three Balclutha rugby players admitted their roles in a naked bath romp in a Balclutha hotel when they appeared before Judge Phil Moran in the Balclutha District Court yesterday.

David Turnbull (19), builder, Michael Craig Souness (22), truck driver, and Andrew Sam Anderson (22), plumber, each admitted a charge of wilful damage after an incident in an upstairs bathroom at the Hotel South Otago on June 6.

Prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Steel said the trio went to the hotel after rugby for a social drink with team-mates.

About 11pm, they went upstairs to the guest area, which is exclusively for house guests.

"The trio then entered a female bathroom area . . . got naked and had a bath together."

The bath water overflowed, pooled on the floor, then seeped down an internal wall and into the kitchen area.

As a result, an internal wall needed structural renovation, Sgt Steel said.

Counsel Brigid Clinton said the trio had been drinking and thought a bath was a good idea at the time.

Judge Moran said the "drunken hijinks" did not warrant a conviction.

All three were discharged without conviction, but each was ordered to pay $200 reparation to the Clutha Licensing Trust.

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