Court reveals shocking truth behind renowned cricketer Peter Roebuck's death
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Content Warning: This article mentions suicide and sexual assault, which may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.
The world of cricket was left in shock when renowned cricket writer and presenter Peter Roebuck tragically took his own life in 2011.
Almost 13 years later, new details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding his death, painting a clearer picture of the despair that led to his untimely demise.
Peter Roebuck was a respected figure in the cricketing world, both as a player and a journalist.
He played first-class county cricket for Somerset, even captaining the team, before transitioning into a successful career as a cricket writer and presenter.
Roebuck was a regular contributor to Fairfax newspapers, including The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, and his insightful commentary and analysis earned him a dedicated following in Australia and beyond.
However, his illustrious career was cut short when he died at 55, under circumstances that left many questions unanswered.
The inquest jury at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in England on AEDT Saturday, 10 February, revealed that Roebuck was 'totally in despair' before he committed suicide.
He was in South Africa at the time, covering a match between the host nation and Australia.
However, his professional duties were overshadowed by a personal crisis: he was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault.
On the night of his death, police were in Roebuck's hotel room, questioning him about the alleged assault of a 26-year-old man.
The man had reported Roebuck to the police on 12 November, claiming that Roebuck had offered him financial support for his university studies before assaulting him.
The arresting officer, Aubrey McDonald, recounted the chilling moments leading up to Roebuck's death. He was making a phone call outside Roebuck's hotel room when he heard a commotion and his partner, Lieutenant Cecil Jacobs, shouting.
Roebuck had run for the window and jumped, falling to the first-floor balcony.
‘Seconds later, I heard a sound which I now know was Peter Roebuck falling to the first-floor balcony,’ McDonald said.
This wasn't Roebuck's first brush with the law.
In 2001, he received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to caning three South African cricketers, aged between 9 and 19, who had stayed with him two years earlier.
However, Roebuck's sister, Dr Margaret Frostick, told the court that Roebuck had only pleaded guilty 'so he could go and carry on with his job'.
'He was horrified that such false allegations could be laid against him and that he was unable to persist in getting to prove his innocence,' she said.
The inquest into Roebuck's death has been a long and painful process for his family. Jacqueline Devonish, a relative of Roebuck's, apologised for the delay of the case.
‘I’m sorry the case has taken such a long time for us to progress, but it was in part waiting to find out about a renewed hearing in South Africa, which hasn’t come to pass,’ she revealed.
If you or someone else is in a crisis, reach out to Lifelife at 13 11 14 or dial triple zero (000) for assistance. You may also contact Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636 or speak with your GP, a local health professional, or a trusted individual.
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The world of cricket was left in shock when renowned cricket writer and presenter Peter Roebuck tragically took his own life in 2011.
Almost 13 years later, new details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding his death, painting a clearer picture of the despair that led to his untimely demise.
Peter Roebuck was a respected figure in the cricketing world, both as a player and a journalist.
He played first-class county cricket for Somerset, even captaining the team, before transitioning into a successful career as a cricket writer and presenter.
Peter Roebuck was a renowned cricket journalist and a former captain of Somerset. Credit: Peter Roebuck Official Website
Roebuck was a regular contributor to Fairfax newspapers, including The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, and his insightful commentary and analysis earned him a dedicated following in Australia and beyond.
However, his illustrious career was cut short when he died at 55, under circumstances that left many questions unanswered.
The inquest jury at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in England on AEDT Saturday, 10 February, revealed that Roebuck was 'totally in despair' before he committed suicide.
He was in South Africa at the time, covering a match between the host nation and Australia.
However, his professional duties were overshadowed by a personal crisis: he was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault.
On the night of his death, police were in Roebuck's hotel room, questioning him about the alleged assault of a 26-year-old man.
The man had reported Roebuck to the police on 12 November, claiming that Roebuck had offered him financial support for his university studies before assaulting him.
The arresting officer, Aubrey McDonald, recounted the chilling moments leading up to Roebuck's death. He was making a phone call outside Roebuck's hotel room when he heard a commotion and his partner, Lieutenant Cecil Jacobs, shouting.
Roebuck had run for the window and jumped, falling to the first-floor balcony.
‘Seconds later, I heard a sound which I now know was Peter Roebuck falling to the first-floor balcony,’ McDonald said.
This wasn't Roebuck's first brush with the law.
In 2001, he received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to caning three South African cricketers, aged between 9 and 19, who had stayed with him two years earlier.
However, Roebuck's sister, Dr Margaret Frostick, told the court that Roebuck had only pleaded guilty 'so he could go and carry on with his job'.
'He was horrified that such false allegations could be laid against him and that he was unable to persist in getting to prove his innocence,' she said.
The inquest into Roebuck's death has been a long and painful process for his family. Jacqueline Devonish, a relative of Roebuck's, apologised for the delay of the case.
‘I’m sorry the case has taken such a long time for us to progress, but it was in part waiting to find out about a renewed hearing in South Africa, which hasn’t come to pass,’ she revealed.
If you or someone else is in a crisis, reach out to Lifelife at 13 11 14 or dial triple zero (000) for assistance. You may also contact Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636 or speak with your GP, a local health professional, or a trusted individual.
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