NRL star Scott Bolton pleads guilty to assaulting woman at Bondi bar
Rugby league star Scott Bolton has apologised for drunkenly touching a stranger’s upper thigh at a bar in Sydney’s east eight months ago at a boozey team dinner. The married Cowboys player looked shattered as he was sentenced.
- Cowboys star denies indecent assault
- Bolton accused of grabbing woman’s genitals
- NRL star Bolton breaks silence
Rugby league star Scott Bolton has apologised for drunkenly touching a stranger’s upper thigh at a bar in Sydney’s east eight months ago.
The Cowboys forward has escaped conviction for assaulting the 49-year-old woman after a boozey team dinner at a Bondi nightspot last May.
The 31-year-old veteran was facing a hearing for indecent assault at Waverley Local Court on Monday with up to four witnesses ready to give evidence.
But prosecutors dropped that charge after the North Queensland prop pleaded guilty to common assault.
“I am not proud of the behaviour I displayed on the night and want to assure everyone I will
not place myself in a similar position again,” he said in a statement.
“I am sorry my actions on that night have caused distress to so many people including the
lady, my wife and family. I also want to apologise to the club including my teammates,
members, partners and fans of the game I love.”
The married man looked shattered as Magistrate Greg Grogin sentenced him to a 12-month conditional release order.
“Mr Bolton is not placed on a pedestal by the court, he is expected to behave as any other member of the public behaves,” the magistrate said.
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Bolton was drunk when he high-fived a woman sitting alone on a sofa at Bondi Beach Public Bar before slumping over towards her around 10.30pm on Saturday, May 5.
As the victim stood up and tried to leave Bolton then touched her upper thigh, which was all captured on CCTV footage, agreed facts state.
“These types of behaviours, whether they be by footballers, men or members of the community are unacceptable,” Senior Sergeant Jamie Palmer said.
The Townsville man had gone out to celebrate with teammates following the club’s 26-20 win over the Penrith Panthers in Bathurst.
The team was staying in Sydney ahead of a game against the Wests Tigers.
The woman complained to bar staff and police but by the time officers arrived the Cowboys had moved on.
Bolton was arrested the next morning at his room in the nearby QT Apartments and was later released on bail.
Police seized the woman’s clothing for examination and Bolton agreed to a mouth swab for DNA testing and for cops to take the clothes he wore the night before.
Court documents show Bolton wanted to apologise to his victim and “displayed a genuine remorse for his actions” but was unable to recall them due to his level of intoxication.
Bolton’s barrister Ben Clark said his client, who has been married for two years to his wife Michelle, would always vigorously contest the original charge.
“His partner is right behind him,” Mr Clark said.
Bolton thanked Michelle — his wife of two years -— who has continued to stand by him along with his family, teammates and club.
Defence barrister Ben Clark asked the magistrate to let Bolton “walk out of here with his reputation intact” and see out the twilight years of his career without a conviction.
Mr Clark said the athlete had already suffered intense public scrutiny and would always have a shadow cast over him.
“Unfortunately your honour, mud sticks,” he said.
But Mr Grogin said the past eight months will remain in Bolton’s mind forever because he will have to regain the trust of a lot of people.
“It can’t be forgotten that Mr Bolton put himself in the spotlight by committing an offence,” the magistrate said.
“The fact that he is a rugby player is of no consequence.”
Mr Grogin labelled the scandal an aberration from a person of otherwise good character.
He handed Bolton a 25 per cent sentence discount for his early guilty plea which spared the victim having to relive her ordeal in court.
Bolton was not stood down by the club despite the NRL Integrity Unit being notified and Cowboys General Manager of Football Peter Parr supported Bolton in court.
“There was no indecent conduct nor violence on his part,” Mr Parr said.
“It’s been a difficult process for all involved so we just want to move on now and get ready for our season.”
The 187cm, 112kg player has missed just a handful of games since helping guide the Cowboys to the 2015 premiership.
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