A former NRL star is combating allegations he twice grabbed a girl’s backside with out her consent after assembly as much as alternate a signed jersey for a most cancers charity occasion.
George Burgess, 31, pleaded not responsible final yr to a single cost of sexually touching one other individual with out consent whereas on the lady’s Mascot dwelling in Sydney final yr.
The previous St George Illawarra Dragons ahead admitted to going to the house of the girl, whom he had identified for a couple of decade, after agreeing to supply a signed jersey.
The girl, who can’t be named, advised police in body-worn footage performed in court on Monday that Mr Burgess tried to kiss her moments after handing over the charity merchandise.
“That’s after I stated, ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ to defuse the scenario … I opened the cabinet and he’s rotated (and) grabbed me on the underside,” the girl advised police.
“I froze on the within and was simply trying on the tea. He put a hand both facet of my physique and pressed proper up towards me. … I advised him, ‘This isn’t going to occur’.”
The girl advised officers that she requested Mr Burgess about his spouse and children, to which he allegedly replied: “You know the way it’s.”
Police allege Mr Burgess once more tried to kiss the girl after the tea was tipped out due to off milk earlier than suggesting the pair “cuddle” on the sofa.
“I received all sizzling and sweaty. That’s when he rotated and stated, ‘You are getting sizzling, why do not you are taking your jumper off?’ the girl advised normal duties police within the footage performed to the court.
“He leaned again and that is when he put his hand down his pants. I wasn’t positive what he was going to do. He stood and stated, ‘I really like your juicy a**e and grabbed my a**e’.
“I stated, ‘Nothing goes to occur’. He stated, ‘Keep and be naughty with me’. He tried to kiss me once more … I stated, ‘I’m an excellent lady and this isn’t taking place’. He had a chuckle.”
Police prosecutor Adrian Wash advised Sydney Downing Centre Court that Mr Burgess left the property after telling the girl that they might “speak in one other 10 years”.
Days after, the girl confronted Mr Burgess in Snapchat messages that have been additionally offered to police. Within the messages, Mr Burgess apologised for the alleged incident.
Mr Burgess’ lawyer, Bryan Wrench, advised the court the previous NRL star didn’t contest going to the house for the jersey however was in “full denial” that he grabbed her.
Mr Wrench advised the court there was no DNA proof on the girl’s jumper from Mr Burgess and known as into query proof taken by police from her telephone after the report.
The court was advised Snapchat messages, which mechanically delete, weren’t recorded from earlier than the incident and the pair had been “finest buddies” on the app.
The girl took notes after the alleged incident and reported instantly to her buddies after which companion, the court was advised, however didn’t report it to police till some days later.
The officer accountable for the investigation, Detective Senior Constable Olivia Matthews, stated the girl had advised her that she had delayed reporting the allegations to police owing to issues about “repercussions” from potential media reviews.
Nonetheless, Mr Wrench advised the court the girl had been interviewed by The Each day Telegraph and the Each day Mail following publication of the allegations final yr.
On the time of Mr Burgess’ arrest, the Dragons stated they knowledgeable the NRL integrity unit, however he wasn’t stood down from enjoying.
Mr Burgess retired from the sport later that yr however in a Could Instagram hinted at a return to the game with the caption: “The comeback is on.”
Later that month, Mr Burgess introduced he would return to play with the Cairns Brothers within the Cairns and District Rugby League competitors.
Justice of the Peace Emma Manea advised the court that a variety of witnesses have been anticipated to be known as in a while Monday, together with the girl, a good friend, and different law enforcement officials.
Extra to come back
