Panthers star Taylan May arrested over alleged domestic violence incident

A Penrith Panthers star is set to face court after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning over an alleged DV incident.

Taylan May of the Panthers. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Penrith’s Taylan May is set to face court after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning over an alleged domestic violence incident which allegedly took place last month.

NSW Police confirmed in a statement provided to foxsports.com.au that at about 5am on Saturday, a 22-year-old man was arrested at an address in Penrith in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident which occurred last month.

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“Police were told about 9pm on Monday 8 April 2024, the man allegedly assaulted a woman known to him during an argument at a home in Werrington,” the statement read.

“It is alleged he punched her in the face and leg.

“The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), and two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV).”

May was arrested on Saturday. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

May was granted conditional bail and will appear before Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 28 May 2024, where his wife Jessica has lodged an Apprehended Violence Order application against him.

The Panthers issued a statement on Saturday afternoon.

“Penrith Panthers are aware of an alleged incident regarding player Taylan May, which has resulted in police charges,” the statement read.

“Panthers has informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will cooperate throughout the process.

“As this is a legal matter, the club will make no further comment at this stage.”

May signed a contract extension with the Panthers in March earlier this year, committing to the club until at least the end of the 2026 season as Penrith fended off rival interest to convince the centre to remain at the foot of the mountains.

May was named in Penrith’s team to play the Warriors in Magic Round on Sunday, although it is expected that he will be stood down.

As the charges against May carry a maximum penalty of less than 11 years he does not fall under the NRL’s automatic no-fault stand down policy.

However, the NRL does have discretionary power to stand a player down, as was the case with Parramatta’s Dylan Brown last year.

The Panthers player will appear in court in late May. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The latest allegations come after May was found guilty assaulting a young fan while celebrating Penrith’s grand final win in 2021.

The incident took place at the Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore on October 8 with Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary approaching an 18-year-old man who had earlier taken a video of him and wanted it deleted.

CCTV footage presented to the court showed May walk up behind the man while he was talking with Cleary and Tyrone May.

He can then be seen grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt and pulling him to the ground.

The man struck his head on the floor during the altercation and suffered a sprained neck.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin labelled May’s actions “reprehensible” and “cowardly”. He ordered him to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim and a $1000 fine. He did not have a conviction recorded against him.

Originally published as Panthers star Taylan May arrested over alleged domestic violence incident