Penrith Panthers player Taylan May will contest domestic violence allegations in court after pleading not guilty to three charges.
Penrith Panthers player Taylan May will contest allegations that he punched his wife in the face and later stalked her.
The 22-year-old NRL centre pleaded not guilty to three domestic violence-related charges during his first court appearance on Tuesday.
May faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidating another person with the intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm.
He is accused of punching Jessica May in the face during an altercation on April 8, and was arrested over a month later after allegedly stalking or intimidating her at night.
May was granted bail before his initial appearance at Penrith Local Court, where he held rosary beads as his lawyer, Abdul Reslan, defended him.
Outside the court, May declined to comment to reporters after entering a not-guilty plea.
The NRL indefinitely stood him down on May 23 under its no-fault stand-down policy, which prevents him from playing until the court case is resolved.
Under this policy, May could continue to receive full pay during the court proceedings. He recently signed a two-year extension with the Panthers worth nearly $1.5 million, a deal now uncertain due to the pending case.
Following his arrest, the Panthers stated that the club would “continue to provide support to all parties involved.”
May debuted in August 2021 after progressing through the club’s junior pathways, including playing for the Minchinbury Jets. He missed the 2023 NRL season due to an ACL injury sustained while playing against UK club St Helens at the World Club Challenge
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