Sydney City Roosters star, Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Tainui) has been acquitted on all charges of domestic violence against his former partner Jessica Peris.
The Tainui league star cried in court on Monday as the magistrate Greg Grogan found him not guilty on all 11 charges of alleged assault, as heard in the Downing Centre Local Court, in Sydney.
Sydney Magistrate Grogin took an hour to reach a verdict, finding that the Police evidence was "evasive" and "framed", and Peris was “not an impressive witness."
Kenny Dowall’s former coach, and New Zealand Māori Rugby League chairman, John Devonshire is happy with the outcome.
“I’m really pleased for ‘Shauny’ and his family. Just really stoked that they’ve been able to clear his name,” added Devonshire today.
The current NZMRL chairman, based in the Waikato region has long been associated with the Kenny-Dowall family, and confirmed it is right to give the family space at this tough time.
“I did meet her, you need to have some good judgement, and good decisions when you’re in the public eye,” says Devonshire in reference to the situation between Kenny-Dowall and his former partner, Jessica Peris.
It is still unclear at this stage whether the Dowall family will take legal action for defamation to Shaun's name.
Kenny-Dowall's family could not be reached for comment