‘Soap opera’: Fox Sports’ Paul Kent to contest charges he assaulted ex-girlfriend
Rugby league journalist and host of Fox Sports’ NRL 360 Paul Kent will contest allegations he assaulted his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend and denounced the “rugby league soap opera” as he left a Sydney court.
Kent, 52, faced a barrage of news cameras as he walked into Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to answer to one charge of common assault, and one charge of intentionally choke a person without consent.
NRL journalist Paul Kent walks into Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to fight domestic violence charges after he allegedly attacked a 33-year-old woman.
He sat silently in the court as his lawyer indicated Kent pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A police prosecutor told the court Kent was expected to be charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but it has yet to be formally laid.
The court heard police would call two officers and the 33-year-old woman while Kent’s lawyers would call three witnesses of their own.
Former greats of the game, who have found themselves on the receiving end of Kent’s criticisms, say the columnist should face the same scrutiny the media dishes out to players.
Former NRL players have criticised some media outlets for their lack of coverage on the charges.
NSW Police on Friday were called to a home in Lilyfield following reports of a dispute, a statement said.
The woman was arrested and taken to Newtown police station before being released without charge.
Kent was charged at Surry Hills police station before being released on bail accused of attacking the woman known to him.
Fox Sports presenter Paul Kent arrested, charged with assault
Outside court, an emotional Kent told reporters his employers “fully support me” and he does not believe his career is over.
“I’m embarrassed about it, but unfortunately it’s beyond my control, so I’ll just let the court process see it’s way through now,” he said.
Kent has been a vocal critic of players and public figures charged with drunken, disorderly or violent behaviour.
“It’s the rugby league soap opera, it’s the way it rolls. It’s my day to be a storyline right now, that’s fine – people are entitled to their opinions,” he told reporters.
“We will get to the end of it, everything will be OK.”
Kent was emotional as he spoke to reporters outside court on Wednesday.
Kent said he could not talk about the nature of the case, but confirmed he and the woman at the centre of the case broke up just before the incident.
“We actually broke up one day before she came to my house,” he said.
Kent’s charges were addressed in only the briefest terms on NRL 360 when it went to air on Monday.
“Paul Kent is stood down while he deals with personal issues,” co-host Braith Anasta told viewers.
Anasta’s statement was very similar to that released by Kent’s employers, Foxtel and News Corp, which indicated he was also stood down from his weekly column for The Daily Telegraph.
All past episodes of NRL 360 featuring Kent have been removed from streaming service Kayo.
Prominent names in rugby league took to social media as news of the charges broke.
Kent arriving at court on Wednesday.
Former Raiders, Roosters and Sharks player Todd Carney posted an image of a jovial Robert De Niro waving with Kent’s name in capital letters.
Kent had called Carney’s sacking from the Sharks in 2014 “a victory for common sense”.
Others called out the coverage, or lack thereof, by Kent’s employers.
“If that was a player there would be 15 stories with very little facts & cameras at their house,” former Dragons, Eels and Cowboys hooker Cameron King tweeted.
Bulldogs great turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams said Kent “never shone away from pointing the finger” at players and questioned their morals when they made mistakes.
“Someone who has always held the players accountable for their actions off the field needs to be held to account for his also,” Williams tweeted.
NRL journalist pleads not guilty to domestic assault charges
NRL commentator Paul Kent has pleaded not guilty to domestic assault charges after an alleged dispute with a woman.
Veteran halfback James Maloney said assaulting women was “the lowest of the low”.
“I hope he is treated exactly as a player would be. His job makes him a public figure in the game so there’s no difference,” Maloney tweeted.
Kent will return to court in December for a further hearing.