Panthers star Tyrone May fronts court over sex tape scandal

A Sydney magistrate has stepped down from the case of rugby league utility Tyrone May, who fronted court for the first time since being charged with sharing sex videos of women without their knowledge.

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A Sydney magistrate has stepped down from the case of rugby league utility Tyrone May, who fronted court for the first time since being charged with sharing sex videos of women without their knowledge.

The Panthers young gun became the third player to be suspended by the NRL after police in March charged him over leaked sex tapes.

Tyrone May, left, arrives at Penrith Courthouse. Picture: AAP

The 22-year-old Tregear man faced Penrith Local Court on Wednesday where Magistrate Geoff Hiatt had to recuse himself due to his links to the club.

Mr Hiatt’s father John was deputy chairman of Penrith until his resignation in 2015, having served on the board since 2003.

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“For the sake of fairness to all … I’ll formally disqualify myself,” Magistrate Geoff Hiat said.

May’s lawyer Samir Banga said he’s currently negotiating with prosecutors over a possible plea deal and requested the full brief of evidence be served.

The five-eighth is charged with two counts of recording intimate image without consent, and two counts of disseminate image without consent.

Tyrone May said nothing outside court. Picture: AAP

Tyrone May was stood down by the Panthers. Picture: Brett Costello

Each offence carries a maximum three-year jail sentence.

May said nothing as he left court with his manager Darryl Mather before a woman picked them up in a red Mercedes.

Police allege May filmed one sexual encounter in February 2018 in Coffs Harbour, while another woman was allegedly recorded in Kingswood last May.

Police say the sex was consensual but the women only became aware of the videos in March this year when told by family and friends.

An Instagram picture of Tyrone May.

The woman allegedly in the sex tape.

May handed himself in at Penrith police station in March and May returned to Panthers training after he was granted bail.

May’s case was adjourned until June 17, but the NRL has sidelined the playmaker until after it’s finalised under the code’s new no-fault stand down policy.

The Panthers backed the decision by NRL boss Todd Greenberg, who stressed it didn’t prejudge May’s guilt or innocence while describing the content of the footage as “vulgar” and “immature”.

But the game’s hard line stance could be overturned as early as this week if Dragons star Jack de Belin wins a Federal Court challenge to his own ban for rape charges.