Lawyer for Kiwis player says CCTV doesn’t support groping allegations

Kiwis international Dylan Brown
Photo: Photosport

Allegations Kiwis and Parramatta Eels player Dylan Brown groped a woman five times in a Sydney hotel is not supported by video evidence, says his lawyer.

The 22-year-old was arrested at the weekend after police were called to the venue in Double Bay.

He was charged with five counts of sexual touching another person without consent.

During his first appearance at the Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis approved variations to Mr Brown’s bail conditions.

His obligations to report to police were reduced from three times a week, to one.

He was previously barred from entering the Double Bay area, but is now only prevented from entering licensed premises in the suburb.

The prosecutor did not oppose the changes, and the case was adjourned until the end of June.

Dylan Brown has been named to play for the Eels against Canterbury in this week’s NRL round.

Outside court, defence lawyer David Newham said he and his client had viewed CCTV footage of the alleged incident.

“What I will say is this, it does not support the notion that on five separate occasions Mr Brown has approached this young woman and with both hands has touched both of her breasts,” he said.

Dylan Brown playing for New Zealand against Tonga in 2022.
Photo: Jeremy Ward

Brown made no comment when asked what happened that night.

Parramatta named the five-eighth for the King’s birthday match against Canterbury on Monday.

The NRL will have the final decision as to whether he plays, as it has discretion to stand a player down under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.

Born in New Zealand, Brown moved to Sydney to pursue his career in rugby league.

He played for the Parramatta Eels as a junior before joining the top tier of the NRL in 2019, aged 18.

-ABC