Nita Maynard: NRLW star Northies assault convictions quashed

A female footy star who bit a security guard during a drunken night out at one of Sydney’s most well-known watering holes has successfully quashed her criminal convictions on appeal.

A NRLW player who got into a drunken scuffle with security after they asked her to leave Northies in Cronulla has had her assault convictions overturned on appeal in the Sydney District Court.

Nita Michelle Maynard, 28, was charged with two counts of common assault for biting one security guard and pushing another on April 2.

She pleaded guilty at Sutherland Local Court on May 13 and was convicted of both assaults, fined $1500 for biting one security guard, $750 for pushing the other and given a $600 fine for failing to leave the pub.

Nita Maynard played for Easts last year. NRL PHOTOS/ Grant Trouville

The incident sent shockwaves around the tight knit rugby league community.

Ms Maynard is a hooker for the North Sydney Bears and has played for both the Sydney Roosters and the NSW Blues in State of Origin.

When the case was heard before the District Court on Wednesday, (July 28) Judge Dina Yehia, read aloud from the character statement provided by Bears coach Jason Taylor.

“He described her as a very special person, hardworking,” Judge Yehia said. “The conduct bringing her before the court is out of character. She is described as a dedicated sportsperson and a loving mother.”

North Sydney Bears coach Jason Taylor said Maynard’s conduct was out of character.

The Crown submitted the orders of the Sutherland Local Court should not be overturned as they were “appropriate” and sought to act as a deterrent to the prevalence of anti-social behaviour during alcohol consumption in our society.

Judge Yehia decided the principles of denunciating Ms Maynard’s behaviour and general deterrence would still be met in the absence of a criminal conviction.

“Given all relevant factors I am prepared to give the appellant one chance to retain her good standing in the community,” Judge Yehia said.

For the common assault charge relating to the push and the charge of failure to leave licensed premises, Ms Maynard was sentenced to a conditional release order for 12 months without conviction.

For the assault pertaining to the bite, she was sentenced to a the same order for two years.

Ms Maynard must be of good behaviour and commit no further offences.