Panthers star arrested for domestic violence & withdrawn from clash against Warriors

Police have charged Penrith NRL player Taylan May over a domestic violence incident in which he allegedly punched a woman in the face.

The Panthers star, 22, was arrested at 5am on Saturday in Penrith.

It is alleged he punched a woman who was known to him in the face and leg during an argument at a Sydney home on April 8.

May has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidating another person with the intention of causing them to fear physical or mental harm.

He has been bailed to appear in the Penrith Local Court on May 28. Penrith confirmed they were aware of the incident and the subsequent charges.

“(The) Panthers have informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will co-operate throughout the process,” a club statement read.

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

May has been stood down by Penrith as they prepare to face the Warriors on Sunday as part of the NRL’s Magic Round.

The centre has played all 30 of his first-grade games at Penrith, the powerhouse club that won the last three NRL premierships.

He is rated one of the NRL’s rising stars and signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers in March.

As of Saturday afternoon, May had not been suspended by the NRL per its no-fault stand-down policy, but the integrity unit is investigating the matter.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission