Brisbane woman Katie Lewis to pursue criminal charges against NRL star Ben Te'o

KATIE Lewis, the woman who alleges she was punched by Ben Te'o, plans to pursue criminal charges against the Queensland Origin player.

KATIE Lewis, the woman who alleges she was punched by South Sydney star Ben Te'o, plans to provide Queensland police with a formal statement next week and pursue criminal charges against the Queensland Origin player.

Lewis told Channel 9 yesterday that she was upset at the statement released by Te'o on Wednesday that dismissed the allegations he assaulted her and has now made plans to sit down with police at the end of next week to formalise a complaint against him.

She alleges Te'o, 26, punched her during an altercation at the home of Broncos fullback Corey Norman in Brisbane last month, a claim the footballer has denied.

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Lewis said the only reason she didn't pursue criminal charges earlier was because she was confused and alone in Brisbane, but now had the support to take the issue to the authorities.

"I didn't press any charges, I was confused at the time. I was up there by myself," Lewis told Nine.

"So I guess not having your family around you it was very daunting to be dealing with it by yourself and I guess getting information from different people.

"Now you've got the support from some people and then you have other people that are concerned for you in regards to what it will do to me mentally."

Katie Lewis

Her father, Ashley Lewis, said he was concerned with how his daughter would handle the fallout from going public and slammed the footballers for failing to come to her aid.

She says Te'o, Norman and Newcastle star Darius Boyd all failed to help her when she was injured inside the house.

"I felt absolutely disgusted in these fellas what they've done to Kate," he told Nine.

"The worst part is how Kate will cope and hopefully that with me giving all of my support I'm not putting Kate into a position where she is going to be hurt anymore, whether it be verbally or a personal attack or anything like that."

The NRL have launched a full inquiry into the claims - the incident is set to overshadow the State of Origin series opener with Te'o up for selection for the Maroons.