Cowboys NRL star Luciano Leilua has a huge legal win at the last minute while facing domestic charges for allegedly assaulting his partner and smashing her phone
- Leilua soon free to join the Cowboys’ playing squad
- Domestic violence order dropped by court
- Time out of game was very costly
North Queensland forward Luciano Leilua could soon be free to play again after his domestic violence-related charges were dropped.
Leilua was accused of assaulting his 26-year-old partner and smashing her phone in an incident at a home in Sydney’s southwestern outskirts on October 3 last year.
One charge of common assault and one count of destroying common property were dropped by consent at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.
Without admitting anything, Leilua agreed to abide by a 12-month apprehended violence order barring him from assaulting, stalking or intimidating the woman.
Outside court, the NRL player’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri said Leilua and his family were happy police had decided to withdraw the charges.
Luciano Leilua is pictured outside Campbelltown Local Court in Sydney after charges against him were dropped
The NRL and the Cowboys now working on when Leilua can resume playing
‘Our position was this was a case that could not be sustained and clearly the police have seen that,’ Tabchouri told reporters.
‘(Leilua) wants to rebuild his life with his family and rebuild his career.’
Tabchouri said he hoped the resolution of the case would allow his client to play again.
The 26-year-old player had been forbidden from representing his team on the field under the NRL’s no-fault-stand-down policy since the charges were laid.
Leilua missed representing Samoa at the World Cup in October and November after impressing for North Queensland in 2022 following a mid-season switch from the Wests Tigers.
In a statement made after the charges were dropped, the Cowboys said they club would work with the NRL with regards to Leilua’s status with the team.
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