The domestic violence charges against NRL star Luciano Leilua have been withdrawn by police at the last minute.
The North Queensland Cowboy had pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault and destroying or damaging property in relation to his partner.
He was due to face a hearing at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday but police instead withdrew the criminal charges against him as he prepared to defend his case.
Police had alleged the back-rower assaulted his partner and smashed her phone at their Harrington Park home on October 3 last year.
However, the prosecution withdrew the charges against Mr Leilua and explained the matter had been resolved.
The court imposed an apprehended violence order without any admission of guilt from the NRL star.
The order contains standard conditions, which prohibit the 26-year-old from stalking, harassing or intimidating the woman, although it doesn’t restrict him from having contact with her.
Mr Leilua was sidelined in October last year under the NRL’s ‘no-fault’ stand-down policy. It prevented him from being selected for Samoa at last year’s Rugby League World Cup as well as the Cowboys’ opening 12 games of the season.
However after the charges were dropped on Thursday, it clears a path for him to return for Todd Payten’s side.
The return of one of their star forwards shapes as a massive boon for the Cowboys who have struggled for consistency this year after a stellar 2022 season.
More to come.
