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A former St Helens rugby league star could face jail after knocking a boy unconscious and breaking his nose for allegedly bullying his son.

Vila Matautia, 48, was part of the all-conquering Saints side which dominated the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The prop forward won Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge honours during a glittering career.

But the ex-Samoan international today admitted a sustained attack on a 15-year-old victim at Liverpool Crown Court.

Matautia claimed he battered the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, because he had been bullying his son.

Before he pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, his barrister, Tom Watson, requested a Goodyear indication from Judge Steven Everett.

This is an indication of the likely maximum sentence an offender will receive if they plead guilty - a legal deal that can prevent a trial from taking place.

In response, Judge Everett asked prosecutors to outline the incident, which happened at around 4.35pm, on December 4 last year.

Simon Duncan, prosecuting, said the victim was stood with friends behind the Golden Lion pub in Church Road in Rainford.

He received a Snapchat message, purportedly from Matautia's son's account, asking where he was, but did not respond.

Matautia walked down the side of the pub towards him and the boy, who did not know who Matautia was, asked "are you alright?"

Mr Duncan said: "The defendant didn't reply and just walked up to him and punched him in the face with his right hand.

"The punch knocked him he said unconscious at that point, however, he regained consciousness to some degree and was aware that the defendant had continued to punch him around five times."

(Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)

The boy said Matautia stood over him and said "you're a bully" and when he asked what he had done, replied: "If I find you've done anything again I will cut you."

Mr Duncan said he got out his phone as if to take a photo of the boy lying on the ground and Matautia's son was also spotted in the area.

The boy was taken to hospital where he was treated for a fractured nasal bone, a cut to his nose, plus bruising to his forehead, left cheek and jaw.

Matautia denied being at the scene when he was arrested and interviewed by police on December 24, but mentioned his son being bullied.

His mobile phone showed he was in the area and when interviewed again on February 24, he said he "wanted to be straight" with officers.

Matautia said he went to the pub to speak with the males about the bullying, but claimed one of them pulled a knife on him.

He said he hit the knife out of the male's hand and punched the boy once in the face, which he asserted was in self-defence.

The court heard Matautia, of Laurel Road, St Helens, had a caution for battery in March 2002.

Mr Watson said his client had led "a rather exemplary life" was "not a man who has spent his life getting into trouble or threatening people" and "there must have been something which sparked this off".

Judge Everett said he accepted, even if it was a mistaken belief, that Matautia thought there were difficulties between his son and other youngsters.

He said it was a "sustained assault" involving "multiple blows" and the injuries were "unpleasant", but not serious in the context of the offence, as argued by prosecutors.

The judge said aggravating features included the fact there were children present, but it was an "isolated incident" and he had "positive good character".

Judge Everett gave an indication of a jail sentence of around 10 months, before credit for a guilty plea.

But he was not prepared to say whether it could be suspended, without first seeing a pre-sentence report and a victim personal statement.

Judge Everett said: "I will make that decision once I have all the information."

He adjourned sentencing until July 19 and remanded Matautia on unconditional bail.

Matautia left Saints and joined Leigh Centurions in 2002, before later managing the side during two spells, the latter ending in 2013.

He played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup for Samoa and later played for the United States, through his grandmother, born in Hawaii.

However, his playing career was marred by disciplinary issues and during his time with Saints was banned from 12 matches in as many months, when he was fined more than £1,200.