Dylan Brown charged with sexual touching, news, latest, update, bail, Parramatta Eels, allegations, assault,
Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown has been charged with five counts of sexual touching without consent following an alleged incident at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay on Saturday night.
The Eels and New Zealand playmaker, 22, was arrested on Saturday night after a 20-year-old woman reported the alleged incident to staff, The Daily Telegraph first reported.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, but if convicted, the sentences for each of the five counts would be served simultaneously.
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That would result in Brown not reaching the limit of the No-Fault Refusal Policy, under which players accused of a felony with a maximum prison sentence of 11 years or more immediately resign pending the completion of their trial.
However, he could still be recalled due to the “discretionary” aspect of the policy given the NRL’s ability to turn away players involved in alleged offenses involving women.
The NRL is reportedly not making a rushed decision as the Eels next game is Monday against the Bulldogs.
According to SMH, the Eels are likely to name Brown when their team is announced on Tuesday.
As Parramatta teammate Mitchell Moses said at Triple M over the weekend, the playgroup had made a pact to “hold back” during their bye week.
“Around 11.40pm yesterday, officers from the Eastern Suburbs PAC were called to a hotel on New South Head Road, Double Bay following reports of sexual touching,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“Police arrested a 22-year-old man and took him to Waverley Police Station, where he was accused of sexually touching another person without consent.
“He has been granted bail to appear before Downing Center Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 7 June.”
The Daily Telegraph also reports that police have issued a restraining order to arrest violence (AVO) while Brown is required to report to police on Monday, Wednesday and Friday under the terms of his bail.
News Corp reports that police will accuse Brown of not having known the woman before and that he groped her multiple times.
The Eels said in a statement on Sunday: “The Parramatta Eels were made aware of an incident involving Dylan Brown last night.
“The club have informed the NRL Integrity Unit as per our normal procedure.
“As this is a police matter the club will not be making any further comments at this time.”
In a statement, an NRL spokesman said: “The NRL Integrity Unit is aware of the matter and is in liaison with the Parramatta Eels and NSW Police.”