Swan Elijah Taylor is facing a serious criminal charge over Perth incident

After staying in Perth due to a COVID-19 suspension, Swan Elijah Taylor has been charged with aggravated assault.

Sydney Swans player Elijah Taylor at Perth’s Cannington Police Station Picture: Nine News

Exiled Swan Elijah Taylor has been charged with aggravated assault by Western Australian police after an incident in a Perth hotel early on Sunday morning.

The teenager, who faced allegations of domestic violence earlier this month, was arrested on Sunday and spent several hours being questioned by detectives at Cannington Police Station.

It has been reported the victim in the latest alleged assault is his former girlfriend Lekahni Pearce, who raised the previous allegations about Taylor in a social media posting that was subsequently deleted.

“Cannington Detectives have charged a 19-year-old man following an incident in Perth yesterday morning, 13 September 2020,” a statement from WA police said.

“It is alleged that between 6am and 8am the man assaulted an 18-year-old woman who is known to him at a hotel in the Perth CBD.

“The 19-year-old man from Maroubra (NSW) has been charged with Aggravated Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm and was bailed to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday 30 September 2020.”

Sydney coach John Longmire was asked about the latest alleged incident involving Taylor after the Swans loss to Brisbane in Cairns on Sunday night, but was unable to shed any light on the matter.

Sydney chief executive Tom Harley said last week the Swans could not comment on the specifics of the earlier assault allegations raised against Taylor.

But he stressed the Swans abhorred all violence and said he was in contact with both parties.

Taylor remained in Perth with his family, with the Swans believing it best he remain with his family rather than fly with the club to Cairns.