Former NRL player’s attacks on woman ‘not linked to brain injury’

A judge has dismissed a claimed link between a former rugby league player’s concussion brain injury and his repeated bashing and choking attacks on a young woman.

Kayleb Minirapa Milne, 25, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Tuesday to three counts of choking and four of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Milne was contracted to play for NRL clubs Melbourne and Cronulla in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and was drafted to play in the second-tier Queensland Cup.

Former NRL player Kayleb Milne leaves Brisbane District Court on Tuesday.Credit: AAP/Darren England

Crown prosecutor Zachary Kaplan said as a tall and muscular man, Milne physically assaulted a much smaller woman multiple times in 2023, causing bruising to her eye, loss of consciousness, and perforated eardrums.

Judge Michael Byrne was shown photographs of the young woman’s injuries.

Kaplan said Milne assaulted the woman so severely, she jumped out of a moving car and into a stranger’s vehicle to seek help.

“The assaults, in public and private, did not stop until she contacted emergency services,” Kaplan said.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she changed from being a happy, bubbly person to someone who was “hyper-vigilant” and isolated from family and friends.

“I did not want them to see the injuries on my face and body,” she said. “I felt a lot of shame and embarrassment.”

The woman said she sincerely hoped Milne received genuine support “to protect himself and others”.

“I believe in the possibility of change and do not wish to see the offender incarcerated,” she said.

Defence barrister Martin Longhurst said Milne had been affected by domestic violence during his childhood and had sought treatment for suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Longhurst said Milne’s large size at the age of 14 enabled him to play footy against grown men in New Zealand, resulting in him receiving “a number of pretty brutal concussive injuries”.

“It is becoming more and more notorious in contact sports that concussive injuries can lead to impulsiveness and overly aggressive behaviour,” Longhurst said.

Judge Byrne said there was not enough evidence to show Milne had CTE and that it had a causal link to his offending, but he did find the defendant was remorseful.

“‘Horrible’ is a massive understatement, but that is what your conduct was,” Byrne said.

He said he faced a difficult decision as Milne had committed serious offences, but sending him back to prison might interrupt his rehabilitation.

Milne was sentenced to four years’ jail – suspended immediately after the 155 days he has already spent in custody – with a three-year probation order.

Byrne told Milne he should not expect another lenient sentence if he breaches his release conditions.

As a New Zealand citizen, Milne is now eligible to be deported due to his convictions and sentence.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

AAP