Callan Dell charged with domestic violence

A former top Tasmanian AFL player turned construction manager from Sydney’s lower north shore sobbed continually when police arrested him on domestic violence charges, a court has heard.

A top-tier Tasmanian AFL player turned construction manager on Sydney’s leafy lower north shore pushed his girlfriend into a door and injured her after an unknown woman accused him of having a Tinder profile, a court has heard.

Callan Dell, 32, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm following a disturbing incident at his Cremorne apartment earlier this year which left his then-partner with a swollen eye.

Agreed police facts tendered to Downing Centre Local Court reveal Dell was at a Sydney venue when an unknown woman approached his then-partner and alleged Dell had a Tinder profile.

“The victim began arguing with the accused in relation to him flirting with other females and the victim believing he was unfaithful,” police stated.

Callan Dell leaves Downing Centre Local Court after he was sentenced for a domestic violence assault involving his former partner. Picture: John Grainger

The pair left in an Uber and Dell attempted to prevent the woman from entering his apartment, before relenting so she could retrieve clothing and a work laptop.

The victim then attempted to apologise before another argument ensued about the alleged Tinder profile, leading Dell to try and remove her from the apartment.

“The accused pushed the victim while stating ‘get out, get out’,” police stated.

“This caused the victim to carry her momentum forward at speed and the left side of her head to collide with the front door.”

Police state the woman felt immediate pain and she began to cry as a lump formed swiftly above her eye.

At the time Dell was already before the court charged with breaching an apprehended violence order previously put in place for his then-partner’s protection.

Dell (right) enlisted top Sydney criminal lawyer Bryan Wrench (left) to defend him in court. Picture: John Grainger

Police were called to a Manly address where four people – including Dell and his then-partner – were having a loud, boozy party in the middle of Sydney’s Covid lockdown on August 28 last year.

An AVO made for the woman’s protection on May 18 last year forbade Dell from being around her within 12 hours of consuming alcohol, resulting in him being charged with a breach.

At Downing Centre Local Court on June 29, Dell’s high profile solicitor Bryan Wrench entered guilty pleas to both charges.

“She basically tripped, she was wearing high heels,” Mr Wrench said of the woman’s injuries.

“It wasn’t the intent to cause that injury, it was an accident.”

Magistrate David Price said Dell should have known better.

”AVOs are there for a reason, for the protection of the person involved, and they are non-negotiable,” Mr Price said.

“If you breach them, there have to be significant consequences.”

Dell (right) with lawyer Mr Wrench (left). Picture: John Grainger

Mr Price sentenced Dell to a 12-month conditional release order without conviction for the assault and recorded a conviction for the AVO breach.

“The court needs to send a clear message that unfortunately from time to time in relationships there are differences of opinion,” Mr Price said.

“But we have to be careful with the way we interact with each other because if it gets out of hand someone can get injured, and this has consequences.”

Police documents state Dell sobbed continually when he was interviewed by police about the assault.

Dell works as a construction operations manager and previously played in Tasmania’s top-tier AFL competition, the Tasmanian Football League, for the Hobart City Demons.