Joe Westerman’s wife has described how she felt “physically sick” when she was shown a sex act video involving her husband which went viral on social media.
The Castleford Tigers star was on a night out in the Yorkshire town Pontefract when he was filmed carrying out a sex act with a woman in an alleyway. When the video went viral mother-of-three Lauren Westerman confirmed that it was not her involved on social media and has since split from the disgraced star.
Speaking to The Sun she has now spoken out about feeling "physically sick” when shown the video the following day.
“I’ve relived that footage over and over again," she said about the sex act video.
"It’s something I’ll never be able to get out of my mind no matter how hard I try. Truth is, he only told me because it was on social media.
"But I’m glad it was found because the thought of kissing him after that just makes me feel sick."
Mrs Westerman described how her husband had been on a 15-hour drinking session which started at 11.30am on the night the incident happened. His wife was unaware of what awaited the next day.
“There was no inkling of what was to come,” she added. “Everything between us was fine, he FaceTimed me at 4pm on Saturday while he was out and then texted at 2.30am to say he couldn’t get in because he didn’t have his house keys. I was staying overnight at my mum’s house and he texted the next morning to say how rough he felt, but that was it."
After the video went viral on social media Castleford Tigers launched their own internal investigation before handing the Super League star a 'substantial fine'.
The 33-year-old was also forced to complete community service which will include educating “young people on the effects of alcohol” as well as the “dangers of social media when in the public eye”.
Westerman released a statement apologising for his actions. He said: "Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly apologise to my family and friends for my actions.
"I’d also like to apologise to the supporters, sponsors, staff, and directors of Castleford Tigers as well as my team-mates. I’d like to extend this apology to the game of rugby league, and I have realised that I need to work on my decision-making around alcohol.”
Loose forward Westerman started his career with home-town club Castleford Tigers, making 103 appearances before moving on to play for Hull FC in 2011. He returned to his boyhood club and signed a two-year deal from the 2022 season.
Despite being at the centre of the viral sex act video Westerman was pictured turning up for training with Castleford this week ahead of their Super League opener at Hull FC on Sunday.
