Domestic violence charges against former Penrith Panthers player Taylan May have been dropped. The woman he was accused of assaulting did not show up to court, leading to the withdrawal of the charges.
May had pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking and intimidation. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents in April and May 2022.
May played 30 NRL games for the Penrith Panthers after debuting in 2021. He also represented Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022. However, he has been out of the game since the criminal charges were laid.
May was stood down under the NRL's no-fault policy and then released by the Panthers in July 2023. He had threatened to sue the club for trying to terminate his contract.
May was on bail ahead of a scheduled hearing in Penrith Local Court on Monday. However, the woman he was accused of assaulting did not turn up to court, nor did her sister, a key witness in the prosecution case.
Prosecutors tried to adjourn the case, but May's barrister argued that the circumstances were unlikely to change if there was another court date. The magistrate agreed and refused the adjournment request.
With the alleged victim not present in court, prosecutors withdrew the charges.
May remains subject to an apprehended violence order for six months.
5 Comments
Pupsik
This dismissal feels like a slap in the face to the victim and all survivors of domestic violence. It sends a dangerous message that perpetrators can get away with their actions.
Habibi
Everyone deserves a second chance, and I hope this experience will allow Taylan to grow and learn from it.
Marishka
I hope this case will raise awareness about the importance of due process and the dangers of prejudice.
Pupsik
It's important to remember that the legal system is not perfect, but it remains the best way to ensure fairness and justice.
Marishka
This case should remind us to be critical of what we see and hear in the media, and to avoid spreading unverified information.