SNOOKER STAR MICHAEL WHITE JAILED FOR ASSAULTING PARTNER
A snooker player jailed for assaulting his partner has been removed from the world tour and world rankings, say the sport's authorities.Michael White, 33, from Neath, was sentenced to three years in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday after facing three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) stated it 'does not tolerate such behaviour by a member and has taken immediate action to remove Michael White as a member'.
It added that it had been monitoring the case and had called an emergency board meeting following the sentencing.
White’s membership will end with 'immediate effect', meaning he will also be taken off the world ranking list and World Snooker Tour (WST).
He has the right to appeal the decision within 21 days.
The WPBSA emphasized it and WST 'were not a party to these [court] proceedings and therefore it was not appropriate to intervene while the criminal justice process was ongoing'.
After the case, PC Ellen Green of South Wales Police confirmed, “Michael White has rightfully been jailed after he carried out assaults on his victim on many occasions, leaving them with injuries.
Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for us at South Wales Police.
Nobody should suffer in silence - this behaviour will not be tolerated.” White was notable in his career as the youngest player to make a competitive century at age nine and was the world amateur champion by age 14.
He won his first world ranking title at the 2015 Indian Open in Mumbai.
According to Snooker.org, his world ranking was 60.
Judge Catherine Richards sentenced White to two consecutive prison sentences of 17 months and 19 months on two counts of assault, and ordered him to pay a £190 victim surcharge.
A third assault charge was left on file, as per court records.
