Kurtley Beale reveals how he survived year from hell fighting assault case

Kurtley Beale has celebrated being found not guilty of sexual assault charges with a long lunch at one of North Bondi’s famous spots alongside family and closest friends.

Family is everything to Wallabies legend Kurtley Beale.

The 35-year-old rugby star didn’t waste any time celebrating after his not guilty verdict with those who stood by him during the 12 month ordeal.

On Saturday Beale was spotted with those closest to him, including his parents, his wife Maddie and her parents and his legal team at a lazy long lunch in North Bondi’s Sean’s Panorama restaurant.

Kurtley Beale with his wife Maddi at Sean's Panorama in North Bondi. Picture: Damian Shaw

Beale and co were joined by good mate Adam Ashley Cooper and his wife Anna.

The 35-year-old rugby star struggled to find the words to explain how he felt after being found not guilty on Friday of sexually assaulting a woman in the bathroom of a Bondi bar.

It took the jury less than an hour to reject allegations that he groped the woman’s bottom at the Beach Road bar on December 17, 2022, before forcing her into oral sex in the men’s bathroom.

“Gosh I’m just so relieved,” he told the Saturday Telegraph.

Kurtley Beale with his wife Maddi and friend Adam Ashley Cooper (seated at the back) and wife Anna and other family and friends at Sean's Panorama in North Bondi. Picture: Damian Shaw

In an exclusive interview on the day he was found not guilty Beale had no choice but to believe that truth would prevail — but that doesn’t mean he didn’t lie awake at night terrified about what might be.

“Oh god of course, that’s human nature when you’re in a hell situation like this, those emotions come through late at night when you’re laying there,” Beale exclusively told The Saturday Telegraph hours after being cleared of sexual assault following a gruelling, highly-publicised trial.

“That’s human nature, that natural reaction, we have to doubt and wonder if the truth will ever come out, if things will work out the way they should,” he said.

“I just had to stay focused, train every day, and I was lucky I had the people around me to allow me to do that.”

The Wallabies star said his secret to getting through the “worst” 12 months of his life was his “beautiful wife” Maddie. “It was important for me mentally to keep my life normal, and my wife and our family helped me to do that and I will be forever grateful.”

Kurtley Bealesays his wife Maddie, who is pregnant with their second child, was a tremendous support during his hellish year. Picture: David Swift

The 35-year-old rugby star struggled to find the words to explain how he felt after being found not guilty on Friday of sexually assaulting a woman in a Bondi bar.

It took the jury less than an hour to reject allegations that he groped the woman’s bottom at the Beach Road Hotel on December 17, 2022, before forcing her into oral sex in the men’s bathroom.

“Gosh I’m just so relieved, what can I say?” he said.

Stood down from the NSW Waratahs by Rugby Australia after his arrest in January 2023, not playing rugby has worn heavily on his psyche, as well as the significant emotional and financial costs.

He got through his darkest hours by training.

Beale’s wife Maddie, who has been by his side since the allegations first surfaced a year ago, said: “It’s been a terribly tough 12 months”.

“It is such a relief that the truth prevailed,” she said. “We can now move on from this hell, and enjoy the year ahead and the arrival of our second baby in May.”

Beale said as well as the new baby he was hopeful of securing a rugby contract either in Australia or overseas.

Kurtley Beale with his wife Maddi (left) and family after the court verdict. Picture: David Swift

Beale with members of his legal team: barrister Margaret Cunneen and solicitor Lauren MacDougall. Picture: David Swift

Beale’s solicitor Lauren MacDougall told The Saturday Telegraph she was “so relieved” for Beale and hit out at the Director of Public Prosecutions who “continues to run cases such as this one that really undermines the genuine cases of sexual assault that deserve to take up the courts valuable time and resources” — a criticism also voiced by Judge Robert Newlinds recently.

Outside court, and hand-in-hand with his wife, Beale told reporters he was glad the “truth has come out”.

“I have always maintained my innocence. My family and I have suffered a terrible year,” he said.

Going through an ordeal like a court case — thrown into the spotlight for the wrong reasons, falsely accused and having to stay quiet — was like no mental challenge Beale has even before encountered.

And it shows you who your friends are.

“I don’t really have big circles of people around me but the real people I do have, my family, my best mates, they have really stood by me through this,” he said.

An ecstatic Beale, Maddie by his side, leaves court after being found not guilty of sexual assault. Picture: David Swift

As he celebrated at Alpha Restaurant in Sydney’s CBD with his legal team and family on Friday, Beale was bursting with gratitude.

As he shared a champagne he was constantly greeted by friends and wellwishers, including former player and groomsman Drew Mitchell.

Beale said it was crucial he praised his “brilliant” legal team, barrister Margaret Cunneen SC and Ms MacDougall as well as Roger Fabri, for allowing him “to train, keep fit and focused” while he was stood down from his career.

His manager Isaac Moses had also been an invaluable support, as was his mind coach Tony Priddle, who kept him “mentally strong through the toughest period” of his life.

Mentors Anthony Bell and Grant Vandenberg have also been supporting Beale.

During the trial Margaret Cunneen SC claimed the 29-year-old woman had consented to and been “in control” of the encounter with Beale, and had made the allegations to gain sympathy.

“I don’t shrink from suggesting she is a manipulative woman who curated circumstances of the night to turn the tables, to turn herself into a victim,” she said.

In her closing address, Ms Cunneen focused on one of the key aspects of the trial: a secretly recorded phone call during which Mr Beale first learned of the accusations.

In the call, the woman told Mr Beale she had not consented to the sexual act.

At first, he said the pair “hooked up”, before admitting he had “f. king misjudged the situation”.

Ms Cunneen told the jury Mr Beale’s reading of the situation on the night — before the call — was that the sexual act in the bathroom stall was “all consensual”.

“He genuinely believed she had given and communicated consent … when she spoke something different (in the call), Mr Beale says he must have misread it.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]