NRL star Jack de Belin’s sexual assault charges dropped

Sexual assault charges against Jack de Belin have been dropped meaning he won’t face a third trial and can resume his NRL career.

The path has been cleared for NRL star Jack de Belin take up a lucrative four-year contract and make an imminent playing return after the Director of Public Prosecutions decided he would not face a third sexual assault trial.

After being stuck in footballing limbo for over two seasons, Mr de Belin is on the verge of making his first playing appearance since September, 2018.

The NRL on Thursday issued an impassioned plea for the St George Illawarra forward not to be subject to vilification when he steps back onto the pitch, with the game’s CEO Andrew Abdo emphasising he had not been convicted of any crime.

Mr de Belin will be allowed to take the NRL field as soon as his new four-year contract — worth a reported $800,000 per season — is registered with the NRL.

“I’m not sure how fans will receive Jack,” NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo said.

“If these charges are in fact dropped, and he has not been found guilty of any crime, and he’s free to play in the competition, we don’t expect any vilification or any abuse from our fans.”

Mr de Belin was accused of assaulting a 19-year-old woman alongside friend Callan Sinclair inside a North Wollongong unit in December 2018.

Mr De Belin, 30, and Mr Sinclair, 24, pleaded not guilty to five counts of aggravated sexual assault and denied allegations they had forced vaginal, oral and anal sex on the woman.

A jury last month cleared Mr de Belin and Mr Sinclair of one sexual assault charge.

Mr de Belin and Mr Sinclair maintained during their evidence at trial that they engaged in a consensual threesome with the woman after the trio met on the dancefloor of the popular Mr Crown bar.

The St George Illawarra forward faced two trials that both ended with hung juries.

The charges against Jack de Belin have been dropped. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

Mr de Belin, who has been sidelined under the NRL’s no-fault rule since early 2019, was facing the prospect of a third trial before the NSW District Court.

However his management and legal team were on Thursday advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions they had decided against proceeding.

The matter is scheduled to be mentioned at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Friday, where it is expected the charges will be formally withdrawn.

The DPP’s decision not to pursue charges opens up the door for the former NSW State of Origin forward to return to the field.

He could make his playing return through the Dragons’ NSW Cup team this weekend.

He was the first player stood down under the NRL’s no-fault rule, which states anyone charged with a crime which carries a sentence of 11 years or more is not allowed to take the field.

He challenged the governing body in the Federal Court however Justice Melissa Perry ruled the provision did not amount to a restraint of trade.

Jack de Belin is set to make an imminent return to the NRL field. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mr de Belin played his last game on September 15, 2018, in the Dragons’ semi-final loss to South Sydney however has been allowed to train with his teammates while he is sidelined.

The NRL on Thursday said Mr de Belin would be allowed to return to the field as soon as his charges were formally withdrawn.

Despite Mr De Belin speaking over two years on the sidelines, Mr Abdo said there would be no change to the provision.

“It was found that this no-fault stand-down policy was fair and reasonable and is in the best interests of the game,” Mr Abdo said.

“As far as I know, there will be no review of this policy.”