Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s ex Jessica Peris ‘asked Roosters for money’ before domestic violence claim
THE daughter of Olympic medallist Nova Peris allegedly asked the NRL club for money before she made domestic violence allegations.
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The daughter of Olympic gold medal-winner-turned-Labor senator Nova Peris allegedly went to the Sydney Roosters asking for money before she made domestic violence allegations against one of its stars, a court has heard.
The high-profile lawyer for Kiwi international Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Chris Murphy, told Downing Centre Local Court Jessica Peris approached the Roosters after the pair separated and a month before she told police Kenny-Dowall had allegedly attacked her seven times between October 2014 and June 2015.
Kenny-Dowall has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and six counts of common assault.
He was also charged with stalking, harassment and destroying property and was not required in court.
Mr Murphy told the court the only physical injury Ms Peris, a sprinter, had was a bruise on her arm which she had told a friend was caused by dropping a weight while training.
He also said there were thousands of text messages between the pair but none showed Ms Peris complaining of violence or Kenny-Dowall threatening her.
“These two people lived more by text message than together,” he said.
He said some messages were salacious and talked about “personal things” in the bedroom.
“Let’s get this case finished and get him back on the footy field,” Mr Murphy said.
The court heard Ms Peris had been in the US for four months and her four-year-old son was in the care of relatives interstate.
The court heard Mr Murphy would be submitting a TV interview of the couple while they were together, before the allegations were made, in which Ms Peris said her partner was a “kind and humble man”.
Mr Murphy told the court Kenny-Dowall also wanted Ms Peris’s son’s name not be published in court proceedings.
Mr Murphy said outside of court Ms Peris’ allegations were disputed by his client.
“There is considerable dispute over the allegations. There’s seven allegations of assault and only one allegation of a slight bruise.
“Let’s hope everyone gets a fair go and leave this matter to a court,” he said.
The matter was set down for a hearing later this month.
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