Here’s how Paul Kent tackled the issue of his acquittal on domestic violence charges as he returned to TV

Paul Kent made his return to TV screens on Thursday as the footy journalist sat alongside Braith Anasta for the first NRL360 show of the 2024 season.

Kent was stood down from his News Corp newspaper column and his role on NRL360 in 2023 after he was charged with common assault and intentionally choking a person without consent.

He was found not guilty of allegations he attacked and choked his then-partner Lucy Kennedy, 33, at his home in Sydney’s inner west on December 12.

Following a two-day hearing in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Daniel Reiss told the court he could not find the charges proven beyond reasonable doubt.

A relieved Kent said he could ‘finally get back to my normal life’ after the court ordeal, having driven limousines for a Sydney funeral business while he awaited trial, and made his return in a spectacular setting, with the NRL world eagerly anticipating the Las Vegas extravaganza this weekend.

Kent did not make mention of the reason he was away from NRL360 last season 

The Fox Sports pundit was acquitted of domestic violence charges in December

Kent was sat on a panel alongside Anasta, footy legend Gorden Tallis and pundit Buzz Rothfield, with the NRL360 host turning to his old sparring partner Kent first for his thoughts on the curtain-raiser in Sin City.

‘It’s pretty special isn’t it,’ Kent said. ‘I’ve been covering the game a long time and I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m pretty impressed with the vibe that’s around and how people are responding to it.’

There was no mention of the domestic violence case, nor did Anasta acknowledge that Kent had been away. 

After he was cleared in December, Kent said: ‘The judge accepted what happened to the point that my barrister was not even required to make a final summation. 

‘It’s been seven months I’ve had to sit there and feel like I’ve been unfairly arrested [and] unfairly charged, and I’ve had to sit there and have our public reputation lacerated by people who have used it as an opportunity. 

‘The truth is out there, finally. It’s been a big cost to me, it’s been a big set back in my life. But, we’ve all got our struggles in life.

‘This is my one currently, so it’s up to me now to regroup and get back to my normal life. I can finally leave this all behind.’

Former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Kangaroos enforcer Tallis covered Kent’s position on NRL360 while he was stood down.

Three episodes of NRL360 will be broadcast from Vegas, starting tonight and will reach tens of millions of homes in the United States with the show to be broadcast during prime time on the main Fox channel.

In addition to the NRL360 episodes, a live show featuring Matty Johns, Bryan Fletcher, Nathan Hindmarsh and Tallis will be broadcasted from outside Resort World, where the players from the four teams will be based.

Fox Sports has also sent Andrew Voss and Dan Ginnane to cover the two games.