Maurice Trindall, 24 denied bail on grievous bodily harm, affray charges

A former Penrith Panthers junior has been denied bail on “serious” and “grave” charges, relating to an alleged assault and glassing on Anzac Day.

Maurice Trindall in a promotional picture for a NSW Rugby League match between Brothers and Mounties. Picture: Facebook

A talented rugby league player and former Penrith Panthers junior has been denied bail over an alleged Anzac Day assault described by a magistrate as “an explosion of violence”.

Maurice Trindall, 24, faced Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, when he applied for bail on charges of causing grievous bodily harm n with intent, wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.

The young father, who once had a promising rugby league career, having played for the Panthers in the SG Ball competition in 2018, has been in custody since he presented himself to police almost four months ago.

It is the second time Trindall has applied for bail on these charges, with his coach from Penrith Brothers Junior Rugby League Club providing a character reference on the last occasion.

During Tuesday’s bail application, the court heard Trindall, along with co-accused Alexen Lyzwa and Frederick Solo, allegedly took part in what magistrate George Breton said was “a serious, heinous assault”, involving a glassing on April 25.

Maurice Trindall in a promotional picture for Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby League. Picture: Supplied

Solo, 25, and Lyzwa, 28, are also being held on remand, charged with affray and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The court heard Trindall was accused of throwing the first punch, which allegedly resulted in the victim being knocked to the ground unconscious before being “set upon again”.

The “most serious part of the offending” allegedly involved Trindall kicking the man while a co-accused stomped on his head, resulting in “horrific and significant injuries” which left him unable to remember the night.

The court also heard while the alleged kicking and glassing were not shown on “over 100 files of CCTV footage” from the night, two independent witnesses had provided statements alleging what they saw.

Maurice Trindall in a promotional picture for Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby League.

When barrister George Costantine questioned the strength of the police case, stating one of the witnesses lacked “precision and specificity” in their account, he was interrupted by Mr Breton, who described it as “overwhelming”.

“You can’t say it’s not a strong case,” the magistrate said.

“It’s an overwhelming and grave offence against someone who was unconscious in the gutter.

“It was an explosion of violence without provocation or any reasoning at all, then the good Samaritan who tried to intervene was allegedly assaulted as well.”

Mr Costantine also said the CCTV showed the alleged victim “intercepting and stopping” the car Trindall and his co-accused had entered, “in circumstances to continue on the agitation”.

In arguing for bail, Mr Costantine said Trindall’s children had various medical needs which significantly burdened his partner as a sole carer, noting “substantial delays” were likely if a trial was to take place.
Following the lengthy application, Mr Breton denied bail, stating while there would be “various accounts of various conduct” from different individuals, he remained satisfied it was a strong prosecution case.

Trindall will remain in custody and is set to return to Penrith Local Court on October 11, along with co-accused Solo and Lyzwa.

The three accused men are yet to enter any pleas.