St George Illawarra star Francis Molo left partner ‘crying and shaking’ during DV offending

Dragons enforcer Francis Molo has been urged to get counselling after dodging a conviction for domestic violence offences just days before he reaches an NRL milestone.

St George Illawarra Dragons player Francis Molo leaving Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Dylan Arvela

A St George Illawarra Dragons star who tried to break into his family home during an ongoing domestic dispute has avoided a conviction for his off-season offending.

Representative enforcer Francis Molo was sentenced in Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday a month on from pleading guilty to intimidating his partner at their family home.

Documents tendered in court indicated Molo had been with his partner for six years with the couple having three children prior to the offending.

The pair were out for dinner and drinks with friends on December 17, last year, when they returned to their Shell Cove abode about 8pm.

About 11.30pm the victim noticed Molo becoming angry and jealous, and an argument ensued over comments the woman made to another male they were having dinner with.

Molo accused his partner of flirting with the unidentified male before he grabbed her phone and refused to give it back.

The argument caused another person in the house to wake up and call for help. A neighbour contacted police who arrived to find the victim crying and shaking.

Francis Molo playing for the Dragons against the Broncos on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Kanaris

The court documents stated the woman told officers Molo was “very jealous and controlling” and, when she tried to step outside for fresh air, he blocked the door.

The victim also told officers she was “fearful of Molo’s actions and fearful of what he could do next”.

Molo kept yelling to his partner over the top of police instructions to leave and stay at his brother – and Dragons teammate – Michael Molo’s house for the night.

He reluctantly left with his brother, however, the victim was woken by Molo trying to break into the ensuite bathroom about 2.54am.

She called triple-0 which caused Molo to run away.

The court documents said Molo left 13 text messages and 15 missed calls on the victim’s phone throughout the incident.

In court on Wednesday, Molo’s lawyer, Karen Espiner, submitted her client, who was supported by his partner, made “a number of poor decisions”.

Francis Molo made “a number of poor decisions” according to his lawyer.

Ms Espiner said the biggest mistake was returning to the house, suggesting if he had not the matter may not have ended up in court.

“He should have stayed away to let the dust settle,” Ms Espiner said.

“He accepts his behaviour was inappropriate … He’s started to make amends with his family and I am asking the court to give him the opportunity to do that while remaining conviction free.”

Magistrate Mark Douglass labelled the offending “serious”, but felt Molo had been “self-reflective” and had not shown common traits of DV offenders such as “pressuring the victim to come to court or change their version of events” or “have them blame themselves”.

Mr Douglass implicitly referred to “one incident” in Molo’s past, namely a tragic incident in a Queensland Cup match in 2015.

Magistrate Mark Douglass urged Francis Molo to seek counselling. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Molo, while playing for the Broncos’ feeder club, Norths Devils, made a fatal shoulder charge on Sunshine Coast Falcons opponent James Ackerman.

Molo was suspended for eight matches with an inquest finding the force of his shoulder ruptured an artery, leading to a traumatic haemorrhage.

“You should get counselling to get that resolved especially given you’re still involved in that activity,” Mr Douglass said.

The magistrate placed Molo on a 18-month conditional release order without conviction, stating it left Molo with “something still to lose”.

A two-year AVO was also put in place between Molo and his partner which includes an order he not be in her presence within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.

On Tuesday, Molo was named to play for the Dragons in the club’s upcoming match against the Sharks in what would be his 100th match in the NRL.