- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Sydney Roosters player Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been acquitted of all charges relating to domestic violence against his former partner, Jessica Peris.
Kenny-Dowall was facing 11 charges: one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, six counts of common assault, stalking and intimidation, using a carriage service to menace and harass, and malicious damage to Ms Peris’ mobile phone.
According to the ABC, Magistrate Gregory Grogin said of Peris, “I did not find her to be an entirely truthful witness”, and also called Peris’ evidence “calculated, evasive and intentionally framed”.
Following the breakdown of the pair’s relationship, Peris – the daughter of former Olympian and now Northern Territory senator Nova Peris – had gone to the Roosters seeking money and accommodation, before going to the police.
Mr Grogin called approaching the club before the authorities “highly unusual”, while Kenny-Dowall’s lawyers called it “opportunistic and deceitful”.
Kenny-Dowall left Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court without speaking to the media, having broken down in tears when the verdict was handed down.
The New Zealand representative was initially arrested in July last year, and a few days later was admitted to Wesley Hospital, struggling with mental health issues.
Kenny-Dowall will begin the NRL season on Sunday, with the Roosters set to face the Rabbitohs.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.