Rabbitohs junior Toby Sullivan guilty of filming sex with woman without consent in Bondi

A South Sydney rookie recorded himself having sex with a woman without permission before a magistrate scolded he was “lucky to be there” in the first place when he was sentenced.

Toby Sullivan who plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs faced Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Tileah Dobson

One of the Rabbitohs brightest young prospects has avoided conviction after admitting to recording himself having sex with a woman without her permission.

Toby Sullivan, 21, was sentenced in Waverley Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.

Documents tendered in court state the offending occurred on December 16, 2023, when Sullivan was out with friends at the Coogee Pavilion Hotel.

CCTV showed Sullivan, South Sydney’s senior male pathway’s 2024 forward of the year, hooking up with a 34-year-old woman on the dancefloor.

Documents state the pair left to a nearby address in Bondi where they had consensual sex in the living room before moving to the bedroom.

South Sydney prospect Toby Sullivan. Picture: Facebook

During a sexual congress the woman’s head was facing away from Sullivan when he pulled his phone out and began recording.

Documents state when the victim realised she grabbed his phone and deleted the recordings.

“It’s just for the boys,” Sullivan said, adding he was “just a kid”.

The footballer left and the woman reported the incident to police the following day.

Police charged Sullivan in March where he initially denied knowledge of the incident and went further to deny being at the Coogee Pavilion Hotel on the night or having sex with the woman.

Toby Sullivan faced Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Tileah Dobson

Documents state police were able to recover the deleted files along with a selfie Sullivan took inside the woman’s residence.

In court on Tuesday, Magistrate Michael Barko questioned why Sullivan was not able to “enjoy the sunset” without whipping his phone out.

“Can’t you people do anything without a mobile telephone?” Mr Barko said.

“Can’t you enjoy a sunset, outside or even sexual intercourse?

“I’m getting really sick of this TikTok and Instagram stuff. Photos of their food or even on the toilet to show the world, to show their mates … given your sporting background, I don’t understand why other sporting people don’t stop you bringing your phone out when you’re out and about.”

Mr Barko told Sullivan “intimate and sensitive interactions should never be filmed” and laid down a further gibe before deciding not to convict the young man.

“Some would argue the defendant was even lucky to be there, much less share it with his mates,” Mr Barko said while imposing a 18-month conditional release order.