Wallabies star Kurtley Beale arrested on sexual assault charges
Wallabies winger Kurtley Beale was taken into custody, withn a court appearance set for Saturday. Photo: AAP
Rugby union star Kurtley Beale has been suspended from the sport after he was arrested in a vehicle stop and charged over an alleged sexual assault.
The 34-year-old Wallabies winger was taken into custody by police on Friday over an alleged incident in Sydney’s east on December 17 last year.
Police received a report that a 28-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at a licensed premises on Beach Road, Bondi Beach.
“Detectives from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command took carriage of the matter and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Titheradge,” police said in a statement.
Beale was arrested in a vehicle stop in Kingsford after training, at around 2.30pm on Friday.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station for questioning and was later charged with two counts of sexually touching another person without consent, inciting another to sexually touch them without consent and sexual intercourse without consent.
Beale was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
Kurtley Beale, pictured on Instagram, has been suspended from the sport. Photo: Instagram
The 34-year-old, who’s been one of Australia’s most gifted rugby backs, won’t be allowed to play in any form of rugby after being charged.
Rugby Australia said Beale has been suspended from all forms of rugby with immediate effect pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.
“(The suspension from rugby) follows Mr Beale’s arrest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offences, and is in line with Rugby Australia’s Professional Player Code of Conduct,” said a statement from RA and Beale’s Super Rugby club, the NSW Waratahs.
“As this remains a legal matter, there will be no further comment until the conclusion of these proceedings.”
Kurtley Beale’s football brilliance was accompanied by problems off the field. Photo: AAP
Beale last year returned to Australia after a spell at French club Racing 92, and in October he and wife Maddi celebrated the birth of their first son.
Beale’s brilliance on the field has often been accompanied by off-field controversies, and a long battle with alcoholism.
Beale took part in a 44-man Wallabies training camp on the Gold Coast last week and has appeared in close to 100 international test matches for the side.
Beale, from NSW, has spent most of his more than decade-long career with the Waratahs, aside from a brief spell with the Melbourne Rebels.
Rugby Australia, the NSW Waratahs and Rugby Union Players Association said in a joint statement they were aware of the situation regarding Beale.
“As this is a police matter, and we understand there has been no charge made, we will be making no further comment at this time,” the statement said.
