Dylan Brown pleads guilty to groping woman

Dylan Brown
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown has pleaded guilty to groping a young woman at a pub in Sydney’s east earlier this month.

The Kiwi five-eighth was arrested and stood down from the NRL following allegations that he touched a woman’s breast without her consent at the Golden Sheaf Hotel on June 3.

The 23-year-old was charged with five counts of sexual touching without consent.

In court on Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to two of the charges while the remaining three were dropped by police.

Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson convicted Brown and sentenced him to an 18-month Community Corrections Order.

Brown’s lawyer, David Newham, said the Eels player was “deeply sorry” for the “stupid, spur-of-the-moment act”.

“He can’t remember. He was that drunk,” Mr Newman said.

“He’d had 15 to 20 alcoholic drinks in combination before we went to the Sheaf Hotel and while he was at the Sheaf Hotel.”

The court heard Brown was attending a birthday party at the venue when he sexually assaulted the 20-year-old woman about 11:20pm.

The prosecution argued Mr Brown should be subject to a corrections order and mandatory alcohol addiction treatment for his “unacceptable” behaviour.

“This young 20-year-old woman was just going out and trying to have a good night and enjoy herself,” the prosecution said.

“Unfortunately, she encountered the accused who grabbed her breasts not on one occasion but two.

“Women, irrespective of their age, should feel safe when they go out. They should not be afraid of being accosted by drunken men.”

Magistrate Atkinson sentenced Brown to a Community Corrections Order, which will remain in place for the next 18 months.

Under the order, Brown will not face jail time. However, he must undertake rehabilitation for alcohol addiction and stay away from the woman he groped as part of an Apprehended Violence Order.

No-fault stand down condition withdrawn

Following his arrest, the NRL stood down Brown under a no-fault condition on June 7.

The policy, introduced in 2019, allows the sporting body to withdraw players charged with serious criminal offences.

The suspension was rescinded on Wednesday after the five charges of sexual touching were dropped to two.

“The National Rugby League has today confirmed that the No-Fault Stand Down Condition will no longer apply to Parramatta Eels player Dylan Brown, following the finalisation of criminal proceedings against Brown at Downing Centre Local Court today,” the sporting body said in a statement.

“With the criminal proceedings concluded, the NRL Integrity Unit will now conduct an immediate review of the matter.”

It is unclear whether a reduction from five charges of sexual touching to two will affect the NRL’s stance on Brown’s right to play.

The Eels said in a statement that Brown had taken “full responsibility” for his actions.

“The Club will continue to support Dylan and work with him as he learns from this experience,” the statement said.

“We will now work with the NRL Integrity Unit on the next steps in finalising the matter.”

*This story was first published by ABC