Parramatta Eels player Dylan Brown has been banned from licensed premises in a Sydney suburb where he allegedly sexually touched a woman’s breasts without her consent.
Under new bail conditions imposed on the 22-year-old, he must also report to Rose Bay police station at least once a week on Mondays.
The five-eighth eels were arrested at the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay after police were called to the scene at around 11.40pm on Saturday.
Brown was suspended from the Eels game on Wednesday afternoon until the matter is resolved, in line with the NRL’s rules on players charged with serious criminal offences.
Police say Brown repeatedly touched the 20-year-old woman’s breasts against her will.
He was charged with five counts of sexually touching another person without consent.
Brown appeared in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday morning when barrister David Newham asked for his bail conditions to be changed from a complete ban on entering Double Bay to a ban on licensed premises in the suburb.
Mr Newham told media outside the courthouse that CCTV footage taken overnight did not support the police version of events.
“Mr Brown and I reviewed CCTV footage at Bondi Police Station yesterday,” Mr Newham said.
“It doesn’t support the idea that five times Mr. Brown approached this young woman and touched both of her breasts with both hands, it doesn’t support that at this point in time.”
Under bail conditions, Brown must also not be under the influence of alcohol in public or have contact with the applicant except through a lawyer.
In a statement, the Eels said Brown would not be able to play as advised by the NRL.
“The Parramatta Eels have today been informed by the NRL that Dylan Brown is subject to a no-fault waiver under the NRL Rules,” it said in a statement.
“The NRL’s decision should in no way be interpreted as a view of the player’s innocence or guilt.”
The policy automatically applies to charges that carry a maximum jail term of 11 years or more, but NRL CEO Andrew Abdo can intervene with lesser sentences if he deems it necessary.
Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for June 28 in the same court.
Source link – https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/league/kiwis-star-stood-down-nrl-over-groping-allegations