Dylan Walker cleared of assault charges: Fiancee Alexandra Ivkovic told NRL star he was not his son’s father
A court has cleared Manly star Dylan Walker of assaulting his fiancee outside their northern beaches home but the NRL could still stop him from taking the field next week. Walker told the court during an argument his partner told him he was not his son’s father.
A court has cleared Manly star Dylan Walker of assaulting his fiancee outside their northern beaches home but the NRL could still stop him from taking the field next week.
Walker, 24, told Manly Local Court on Friday he got in a heated argument with his partner Alexandra Ivkovic at their Dee Why home last December in which she told him their four month-old baby “was not your son”. He said he replied by telling her “you’re f*****”.
The pair was arguing after Ms Ivkovic had asked Walker, while he was playing his PlayStation, whether he’d like a spoon or a fork to eat dinner.
Police alleged after Ms Ivkovic left the home Walker followed her outside and pulled her to the ground by her ponytail.
Walker denied this in the stand yesterday, telling the court he followed her outside and asked her to come back into the home and speak to him.
“I just reached out with my left hand to touch her shoulder, just turning her towards me,” Walker said. “Then she fell, fell onto the ground.”
He also said he was not angered by her claim he was not his son’s father.
“I just thought that was a hot headed comment from her. I was not upset, just surprised.
Asked if he was upset, he said no “because he looks very similar to me”.
Ms Ivkovic phoned triple 0 after the incident telling an operator Walker “pulled my hair and I fell down”.
The former Miss Universe Australia later told the court she had “recalled things differently” and “realised he didn’t grab my hair”.
Asked why his fiancee had initially said he pulled her hair, Walker said it was an “over-reaction”.
“I think she just overreacted at that point in time,” he said.
Neighbour Lauren O’Sullivan, who went to Ms Ivkovic’s aid, previously told the court she had seen Mr Walker grab her by the hair.
But Magistrate Michelle Goodwin said she could not be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt Walker committed common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“In all criminal matters the prosecution bears a very high burden of proof. They need to satisfy me beyond reasonable doubt that the incident occurred and it occurred in the manner that has been attested to,” she said.
“I am simply not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the guilt of Mr Walker.”
The NRL said on Friday night its no fault stand policy imposed on Walker after he was charged had expired but did not say he was clear to play against Cronulla Sunday week.
“The Integrity Unit will review the court papers on Monday and then finalise the matter,” a spokesman said.
Manly said it wanted Walker playing as soon as possible.
“The club has commenced discussions with the NRL Integrity Unit to have Dylan reinstated immediately,” Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman said.
Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler said the court decision was a “great outcome for Dylan and his family”.
“The last couple of months would have been very stressful for them,’’ Hasler said.
“They should now be allowed to get on with their lives and for Dylan to resume his career.”
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