The NRL star Dylan Walker has been found not guilty of domestic violence charges after the magistrate presiding over the case said she was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the Manly player had assaulted his partner.
The judgement clears the path for the Manly centre to return to the playing field next weekend, after he was stood down by the NRL under the league’s no-fault policy before the season started.
Under the rules, which were rubber-stamped in March, the game can stand down any player charged with a serious crime which carries a jail sentences of 11 years or more.
Walker had denied pulling his fiancee’s ponytail and causing her to fall to the ground with a baby in her arms. Instead he claimed he simply “touched her shoulder … then she fell”.
The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence-related assault occasioning actual bodily harm after his fiancee, Alexandra Ivkovic, suffered grazes to her shoulder, leg and feet in December.
The Manly centre also pleaded not guilty to a backup charge of common assault.
“I just reached out with my left hand to touch her shoulder, just turning her towards me,” Walker said. “Then she fell, fell on to the ground.”
After hearing evidence from nine witnesses over two days at Manly local court, magistrate Michelle Goodwin dismissed the charges.
Walker played in a pre-season game but has not featured in the Sea Eagles’ opening eight outings this season. The NRL has already confirmed his suspension has been lifted but said it will review court documents in case it was appropriate to apply some further punishment.
Manly play the Broncos in Brisbane on Friday night and Walker, who has been training with the team, appears assured of returning to play in next Sunday’s round 10 game against Cronulla.
Walker’s return is a massive boost for the Sea Eagles who have been forced to deal with a taxing injury crisis in the first few months of the season, with key players such as Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic sidelined.
It comes as St George Illawarra star Jack de Belin will next week learn his immediate fate with the Federal Court expected to hand down their judgment in his case against the NRL and ARL Commission.
De Belin has sued the game after he became the first player stood down under the no fault rule after he was charged with aggravated sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty.
Justice Melissa Perry will hand down her judgment next week, on a date yet to be specified.