Daniel Conn charged over dispute with Hustle Boxing in Potts Point
It is one of Sydney’s hippest new gyms – with former NRL player Daniel Conn and his glamorous partner the faces of Hustle Boxing. But a bitter dispute between Conn and his business partner Simon Maree has landed Conn before court.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former NRL player turned fitness guru Daniel Conn likes an Instagram video as much as the next influencer.
But one of his posts has landed him in court.
In the latest development in a long-running dispute between Mr Conn and his former business partner, Simon Maree, the 33-year-old appeared in court this week charged with stalking and intimidation, destroy property and breaching a personal violence order.
At the centre of the beef is a boutique Potts Point gym, where Mr Conn used to work but, according to the police allegations, he quit in protest after unsuccessfully asking for a pay rise.
MORE FROM AVA BENNY-MORRISON
William Tyrrell officer feared reporting recordings
Secret medals for Lindt Siege’s reluctant heroes
Mr Conn and his girlfriend, nutritionist and trainer, Ellice Whichello, were the faces of Hustle Boxing when it opened its doors last year.
Police will allege in early December, Mr Conn, despite being told to steer clear of Hustle Boxing after the professional relationship turned sour, loitered around the entrance, struck a glass window and scratched one of the panels.
The incident was reported to police and on December 10, officers spoke to him about it.
Three days later Mr Conn turned up to the gym again, pressed his face up against the window before he walked inside “puffing out his chest”, it is alleged in court documents.
Conn, who played rugby league between 2005 and 2011, also allegedly swore and pointed his fingers at people.
He left and two days later posted two allegedly threatening videos on Instagram claiming he was “going to sort stuff out” and he was “sick of playing games”.
According to the allegations, he also claimed he was going over to the gym and stated “we are coming for you mother f**ker”.
On December 16, police took out a personal violence order on Mr Maree’s behalf and served it on Mr Conn.
The order banned him from going within 100 metres of anywhere Mr Maree worked or lived, including the Victoria St gym.
However, on December 19, Mr Conn allegedly rode past on his scooter and was confronted outside and told he wasn’t meant to be there.
He claimed he was only “saying hello” and left again, it is alleged.
Regardless, the brief encounter allegedly constituted a breach of the personal violence order and three days before Christmas, Mr Conn was served with a court attendance notice.
He fronted Central Local Court last Monday and pleaded not guilty to stalking, damage property and breaching the personal violence order.
The case was adjourned to March 16.
Having hung up his footy boots in 2011 after six years playing professionally, including for the Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters, Mr Conn was previously the global athletic director for the hugely successful fitness chain, F45.
Recently, Mr Conn has been open about his struggles with mental health after his premature retirement from the NRL following a serious neck injury.
Originally published as Daniel Conn charged over dispute with Hustle Boxing in Potts Point