FORMER NRL star Chris Sandow has escaped a conviction over a New Year’s Day brawl after agreeing to speak out against violence.

Sandow was captured on video fighting on the street in Cherbourg, Queensland, in defence of his non-blood related “brother”, who was allegedly threatened by other men the night before.

The 27-year-old was fined $300 after pleading guilty to a public nuisance charge in the Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Sandow avoided a conviction after he agreed to magistrate Andrew Hackett’s unorthodox request that he become a community spokesman for conflict resolution in Cherbourg, stating he had the potential to be the next Johnathan Thurston.

“You hold a position in the community of pre-eminence,” Mr Hackett said.

“I think you are a leader, leaders lead — fighting is not leading.

“Don’t just play for yourself, it’s what JT (Johnathan Thurston) does.”

Sandow, 27, pleaded guilty in the Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday to one count of public nuisance.

Magistrate Andrew Hackett did not record a conviction after the former Parramatta and South Sydney halfback Sandow agreed to be a spokesman for conflict resolution in the community.

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