Ex-NRL player Michael Lichaa to live with partner Kara Childerhouse despite domestic violence charges

Former Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa and his partner are set to move back in together despite the footballer being charged with assaulting her.

Ex-NRL star Michael Lichaa’s fiancee is set to move back in with the former Bulldogs hooker on their return from a beachside holiday despite police alleging she is the victim of domestic violence.

Mr Lichaa was last month hit with several charges and is now bound by an interim AVO intended to protect his partner Kara Childerhouse following an incident at their home in Sydney’s south.

Police will allege he threatened and assaulted Ms Childerhouse after catching her in an intimate situation with Bulldogs player Adam Elliott on the back deck of the couple’s Connells Point home early on February 14.

Former NRL player Michael Lichaa with fiancee Kara Childerhouse, who he is accused of assaulting by police.

Last month Mr Lichaa, 27, entered pleas of not guilty to charges including common assault, destroying or damaging property and stalk/intimate to cause fear of physical harm.

On Wednesday neither Mr Lichaa nor Ms Childerhouse appeared at Sutherland Local Court, where the footballer’s lawyer Sam Saadat successfully applied to vary his bail and AVO conditions.

It is understood Mr Lichaa and 26-year-old Ms Childerhouse, who have two children together, are on holiday in Byron Bay.

They have had to stay in separate apartments in order to abide by previous AVO conditions.

Sam Saadat told media outside court that living together would be good for his client and Ms Childerhouse. Photo by Damian Shaw

On their return to Sydney they will be able to live together again after a rule stopping the Lebanese international from being within 100m of Ms Childerhouse’s residence was dropped in court.

The court heard living with Mr Lichaa was what Ms Childerhouse wished to do.

Outside court Mr Saadat said that was a “good result” for both parties ahead of a hearing in November.

“Michael and Kara are able now to cohabitate, which is what they want, and conducive to repairing their relationship,” he said.

Mr Saadat was asked whether the couple now being able to live together in light of the alleged violence made a “mockery” of the situation.

“It’s domestic violence related, it’s standard operating procedure for police in NSW … as expected they treat those matters quite seriously,” he said.

Michael Lichaa is without an NRL deal. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Bulldogs player Adam Elliott has not been accused of wrongdoing by police. Picture: Richard Dobson

The lawyer would not be drawn on whether Ms Childerhouse, who appears to be standing by Mr Lichaa, would testify in court that she had not been assaulted.

“That’s a matter for Kara,” he said.

Nor would be comment on reports that emerged on Wednesday morning of texts sent by Mr Elliott to his best mate Mr Lichaa in which he reportedly offered an apology over the incident.

“That’s a matter for Adam and Michael in terms of their friendship,” Mr Saadat said.

The lawyer previously told media on February 17 that the footballer was “adamant he didn’t do the things he was accused of”.

Police will allege in court that Mr Lichaa threatened his partner after he woke to find her with Mr Elliott following a night of drinking that spilt into the morning of Valentine’s Day.

Kara Childerhouse (middle) attended court last month in support of Mr Lichaa. Picture: John Grainger

It is alleged he chased Ms Childerhouse, 26, into the street on Connells Point Road before she locked herself in a room.

The two ex-Bulldogs teammates then allegedly had a fiery verbal confrontation.

Police were called to the home just before 5am by neighbours and found Mr Lichaa with deep cuts to his arms, alleged to have been sustained when he punched through a glass window.

The former Junior Kangaroo, who is without an NRL contract, was taken to hospital for surgery before being transported to Kogarah police station for questioning. He was later charged.

All charges are related to his alleged behaviour towards his long-time partner Ms Childerhouse.

Mr Elliott, 26, is not charged with any offences.

Mr Lichaa will return to court for a hearing over his charges on November 2.