Panthers NRL star Taylan May found GUILTY of assaulting teen fan at post-grand final party session
NRL rising star Taylan May has been found guilty of assaulting a teenage footy fan while celebrating Penrith’s grand final win with his teammates.
The winger, 21, was with Nathan Cleary, Jerome Luai and May’s brother Tyrone at the Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore on October 8 last year when the incident unfolded.
The court heard Cleary approached a man, 18, who earlier had taken a video of him – which the star halfback wanted deleted.
CCTV footage showed May walk up behind the man while he was talking with Cleary and Tyrone May.
He can then be seen grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt and pulling him to the ground.
NRL rising star Taylan May has been found guilty of assaulting a teenage fan while celebrating Penrith’s grand final win with his teammates last October
The winger, 21, was with Nathan Cleary, Jerome Luai and May’s brother Tyrone at the Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore on October 8 last year when the incident unfolded (pictured, Penrith celebrating their title on October 3)
The man struck his head on the floor during the subsequent altercation and suffered a sprained neck.
May pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Before the ruling, May insisted he was trying to defuse the situation and protect Cleary.
‘Anyone in my position, if they are a good friend, they would have done what I did,’ he told the court.
‘I stuck up for Cleary. I don’t think I was in the wrong. I didn’t want the situation to escalate.’
The 21-year-old (pictured playing the Broncos) insists he was defending his good friend Nathan Cleary on the night in question
Nathan Cleary (left, with his father and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary after the team’s 2021 grand final triumph) previously said May is always putting other people ahead of himself
After May was charged in April, Penrith released a statement saying, ‘The club was made aware of the incident at the time, informed the NRL Integrity Unit and undertook an investigation into the matter.
‘The club subsequently implemented disciplinary measures against (Taylan) May.’
On Wednesday, Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin labelled May’s conduct ‘reprehensible’ and ‘cowardly’.
He ordered him to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim and a $1000 fine.
A conviction was not recorded.
May was not stood down by the Panthers following the incident or during the court proceedings.
He won’t play this weekend versus the Cowboys in Townsville after coach Ivan Cleary opted to rest 12 players – but is expected be free to play in Penrith’s finals campaign as the minor premiers chase back-to-back NRL titles.
