Domestic violence charges against former Penrith Panthers player Taylan May have been withdrawn by police, paving the way for a return to the NRL.
The 23-year-old ex-NRL star had faced serious accusations stemming from an incident in April last year at a home in Werrington, western Sydney.
Police alleged May punched his wife, Jess May, in the right eye, struck her forehead, and verbally threatened her.
‘I hate you that much I wouldn’t care if I killed you,’ the court heard May allegedly said to his wife.
‘I’ll come after your family because they can’t keep their mouths shut. You deserve everything that’s coming to you.’
May had pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear, and two counts of contravening an apprehended violence order (AVO).
Former Penrith Panther’s premiership winner Taylan May exits Penrith Local Court on Monday after domestic violence charges were withdrawn by police
With the charges withdrawn, May could now return to the NRL if the league gives him the green light to find a new club
The case reached a critical turning point in Penrith Local Court on Monday when Magistrate Stephen Corry declined a request from police prosecutors to adjourn the hearing.
The prosecution revealed Mrs May and her sister, both key witnesses, were not present to testify.
The court heard that repeated efforts to contact Mrs May had failed, and her sister had submitted a medical certificate citing inability to attend.
Magistrate Corry inferred a ‘deliberate decision’ by the women to avoid court, noting their absence was unexplained and unlikely to change.
May’s barrister, Phillip Boulten SC, argued strongly for the charges to be dismissed, saying, ‘there is a real contest about if she was assaulted at all.’
Boulten further stressed that Mrs May previously applied to vary the AVO conditions to allow contact with her husband, suggesting she wished to withdraw the charges altogether.
He highlighted the strain on May, who had reportedly been stopped by police six times in the 24 hours before the court appearance.
‘He’s been under all this pressure, all this time, waiting for these matters to be determined,’ Boulten told the court.
May did not make a statement to media after the court appearance on Monday in Penrith
May played 30 games for the Panthers including the 2022 NRL Grand Final before he was stood down by the league
‘Enough is enough in my submission. Can we just allow these people to move on?’
Magistrate Corry subsequently refused the prosecution’s request for an adjournment, prompting police to withdraw the charges completely.
Despite this outcome, the court confirmed the AVO against May would remain in place for another six months.
Following the dismissal, a visibly relieved May left Penrith courthouse smiling, accompanied by lawyers and supporters. However, he declined to provide any public comment.
This legal ordeal significantly disrupted May’s rugby league career.
He was indefinitely stood down by the NRL under its no-fault stand-down policy on May 23, 2024, and later parted ways with the Panthers by mutual agreement in July, 2024.
May’s history with the Panthers was turbulent.
Prior to the domestic violence allegations, he was reprimanded for posting footage of himself in a speeding car, promoting a rental business, Ruthless Rentals.
The incident attracted scrutiny from the NRL Integrity Unit and Penrith management, leading May to temporarily delete his social media accounts.
‘I was in the car, but I wasn’t driving – I can’t say who was driving,’ May said in response to the speeding incident.
He later expressed regret over the attention the incident attracted due to his profile.
Now cleared of criminal charges, May’s path is open to a potential return to professional rugby league, though his future remains uncertain.
May played 30 games with the Panthers and contributed to their 2022 grand final victory.
