Sydney Swan Elijah Taylor pleads guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend
Sydney Swans rookie Elijah Taylor has pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to assaulting former partner Lekahni Pearce, as his club and the AFL reinforced their strong stance on violence against women.
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Sydney Swans’ Elijah Taylor has pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce in a hotel room.
The alleged incident happened in Perth CBD, Taylor was arrested on September 13.
He pleaded guilty to the charge in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
Taylor is due to reappear in court again on December 2 for sentencing.
His bail was extended until then.
The rookie Swan did not speak to the waiting media when he left the courthouse.
Sydney Swans general manager football Charlie Gardiner said the club was extremely disappointed in Taylor’s actions.
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“These were very serious charges and something we never want to see in the community, much less have one of our players involved in,” Gardiner said.
“At the time of making the decision to stand Elijah down we said we would review the situation as it unfolded, and that is what we intend to do, in consultation with the AFL, the AFL Players’ Association and Elijah’s management.
“I would like to reiterate our club’s very strong position that violence against women, in any form, is never acceptable and we strongly condemn it.”
The AFL also wished to reinforce earlier comments from chief executive Gillon McLachlan that the AFL condemned any violence against women.
“Violence against women in any form is abhorrent and we strongly condemn it,” McLachlan said.
“Our view is clear and unequivocal — violence against women is never okay in any circumstance — ever.
The safety, welfare and care of those involved remains the priority and the AFL will continue to liaise with the Sydney Swans, to continue to provide the support that is required to those involved.
Immediately after he was charged, Taylor was stood down by the Swans.
At the time, Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club was taking immediate action to stand Taylor down for the foreseeable future.
“We are extremely disappointed to have one of our own players in this position,” Harley said.
“As a result of the serious nature of these charges, coupled with Elijah’s failure to abide by club directives on a number of occasions this year, we have made the decision to stand him down from all club commitments immediately.”
The alleged incident first came to light when Pearce shared pictures of injuries she alleged were caused by the 19-year-old footballer.
Pearce, 18, said at the time her face and eyes were bruised, and claimed she sustained the alleged injuries in a violent assault on a Sunday morning.
Sydney officials led by Harley acted swiftly after it emerged the young star allegedly assaulted Pearce.
“We are a club that has respect at the core of our values and we condemn any violence and women and violence of any nature,” Harley said.
“These are very serious allegations. We are running a very proper process with the AFL and we will continue to do that. ‘very serious’.
“Obviously the welfare of both Elijah and Lekahni is paramount. We are dealing with two young people here. I won’t go into the specific details but there is support on both sides as we work through what is a very specific situation.”
Taylor made headlines in August when his partner entered the club’s quarantine accommodation in Perth, which was not permitted in the AFL’s return to play protocols.
The Swans were given a $50,000 fine, and the 19-year-old was stood down from the club for the remainder of the season.
Harley said at the time that remaining in Perth with his family instead of joining his teammates in a Cairns hub had been deemed as the best course despite the lack of one-on-one support in a tough time.
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