By Adrian Proszenko, Michael Chammas and Dan Walsh
Taylan May’s lawyer says the former Panthers player will consider taking civil action against the police after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn, opening the door for an immediate return to the NRL.
May had been stood down under the NRL’s no-fault policy since the charges were laid in April. But after the charges were withdrawn on Monday, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the 23-year-old was clear to return to the game immediately.
“Now that there is no pending charge, he’s free to play,” V’landys said. “The no-fault stand-down policy is always on police charge. The police charges have been dropped. He was stood down until the matter is concluded. It is now concluded. He’s free to play.
“The stand-down rule was a line-in-the-sand moment from the game that under no circumstances will we ever tolerate violence against women or children. If a player was charged by the police, then we stand the player down. As the charges have been withdrawn, and unless some other evidence comes forward, he’s free to play.”
May was charged with punching his wife Jess May in the face last April. Penrith Local Court heard on Monday that May had also allegedly struck his wife in the forehead and told her, “I hate you that much I wouldn’t care if I killed you”.
May pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear of harm, and two counts of contravening an AVO.
Taylan May (centre) leaves Penrith Local Court flanked by his brother Terrell (left).Credit: AAP
“The law was misconstrued and misused by police, resulting in unjust and unnecessary harm to our client and the taxpayer. Our client will be exploring his options with respect to civil proceedings,” May’s lawyer, Abdullah Reslan of Kings Law Group, told this masthead.
The court was told that Jess May and her sister, who were both expected to give evidence, were not in attendance on Monday.
Magistrate Stephen Corry opted not to adjourn the case, saying that “one can infer from the material that [Jess May] has deliberately chosen not to attend court.”
Prosecutors subsequently withdrew the charges against May, who was awarded costs of $20,705.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter said that several NRL clubs were considering whether to make a play for May.
May has been linked to Wests Tigers following his brother Terrell’s recent move to the joint venture and Justin Olam’s impending medical retirement. Terrell attended court on Monday alongside his youngest sibling, while Taylan was at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday to watch his brother’s first game for Wests Tigers.
Taylan May has been sidelined for almost a year.Credit: Getty Images
Olam met with NRL medical staff on Friday and specialist reports have been submitted to the governing body as part of an application for salary cap dispensation due to the PNG star’s latest knee injury, which the Tigers argue is career-ending.
A medical retirement ruling would leave the Tigers with about $400,000 free in this year’s salary cap, and $600,000 in 2026.
May had been considered one of the most promising outside backs in the NRL before he was stood down last year, signing a $1.1 million, two-year extension with the Panthers before eventually parting ways with the club after a confidential settlement.
While May’s charges have been dropped, he remains subject to an AVO for six months.
Charges that he twice breached an earlier order were also dropped after the court heard it had been amended to allow contact under certain conditions.
May’s wife had indicated in July, when seeking to have AVO conditions changed, that she wanted to drop the charges, May’s barrister Phillip Boulten SC said.
Monday’s hearing was attended by a representative of the NRL integrity unit. May did not comment to reporters as he left court in a black BMW.
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