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NRL players Musgrove and Coleman fight aggravated indecent assault charges

The bail condition of NRL player Liam Coleman banning him from going within 100 metres of the eastern Sydney pub where he allegedly groped a young woman has been dropped so he can go to the beach.

NRL players Musgrove and Coleman fight aggravated indecent assault charges

The bail condition of NRL player Liam Coleman banning him from going within 100 metres of the eastern Sydney pub where he allegedly groped a young woman has been dropped so he can go to the beach.

The Penrith halfback and Wests Tigers recruit Zane Musgrove are fighting accusations they attacked a 22-year-old woman on a night out in Coogee last year.

Police say the 22-year-old athletes both touched the victim’s breasts and groin on the Coogee Bay Hotel dance floor around 12.30am on Saturday November 24.

NRL player Zane Musgrove arrives at Waverley Court in Sydney. Picture: AAP
NRL player Zane Musgrove arrives at Waverley Court in Sydney. Picture: AAP
Liam Coleman has been charged with assault.
Liam Coleman has been charged with assault.

The son of South Sydney champion Craig Coleman also allegedly grabbed the woman’s hips and buttocks.

Musgrove is accused of “forcing his tongue into her mouth” before leaving the victim with minor cuts to her shoulder, leg and feet requiring treatment by paramedics at the scene.

The woman, who is understood to have met the Tigers forward three weeks earlier, reported the incident to security before telling police.

The pair pleaded not guilty to a string of charges including aggravated indecent assault at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday

The pair are accused of a string of charges including aggravated indecent assault at the  Coogee Bay Hotel.
The pair are accused of a string of charges including aggravated indecent assault at the Coogee Bay Hotel.

It’s understood Coleman, who was supported in court by his sister and grandfather, regularly swims with his father at Coogee beach and asked to be allowed to visit the wider area surrounding the pub.

Coleman’s Defence solicitor Greg Goold successfully applied for his client’s exclusion to only apply to the hotel itself under his bail conditions, which also ban the Rosebery man from being drunk in public places.

In defending the charges it’s understood hotel CCTV footage showing the woman approaching the duo first will be relied upon.

Coleman’s Defence solicitor Greg Goold successfully applied for his client’s exclusion to only apply to the pub itself under his bail conditions.
Coleman’s Defence solicitor Greg Goold successfully applied for his client’s exclusion to only apply to the pub itself under his bail conditions.
NRL player Zane Musgrove today.
NRL player Zane Musgrove today.

Musgrove continues to be restricted from going within 50m of Coogee Bay Hotel, mustn’t threaten or stalk the victim and can’t contact any witnesses under his bail conditions.

In December detectives charged the Hillsdale man with indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault (offender in company), and common assault.

Coleman was also charged with indecent assault and aggravated indecent assault (offender in company) last month.

Both men will not be required to appear when their cases return to court in March.

Coleman plays in the Panthers’ reserve grade while Musgrove’s Tigers contract is not yet registered.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nrl-players-musgrove-and-coleman-fight-aggravated-indecent-assault-charges/news-story/eb7a36e8b223850e71c28d882bf12d4a