Cowboys player Scott Bolton pleads guilty to common assault after touching woman's thigh
North Queensland Cowboys player Scott Bolton has pleaded guilty to common assault eight months after he was accused of grabbing a woman at a bar in Sydney's east.
Bolton, 31, was at the Bondi Beach Public Bar with teammates at about 10.30pm on May 5, 2018 when he grabbed a woman on the upper thigh as she moved away from a couch.
The woman had been sitting alone, looking at her phone, when Bolton approached her and sat down next to her. She tried to slide away, but Bolton moved closer to her, and as she stood up to walk from the area Bolton reached forward and touched her thigh.
Police were called to the venue after the woman made a complaint to bar staff.
The next day, Bolton was charged with assault with an act of indecency, with police alleging he had grabbed the woman's genitals.
On Monday, that allegation was withdrawn at Waverley Local Court and Bolton pleaded guilty to common assault for touching the woman's thigh.
Bolton was not convicted and was given a 12-month conditional release order, which requires that he be of good behaviour.
In sentencing Bolton, magistrate Greg Grogin said the footballer "is not placed on a pedestal by the court" and was given the same leniency any member of the public might expect.
"His behaviour was unacceptable. The community needs to be protected from behaviour such as this," Mr Grogin said.
According to agreed facts presented to the court, Bolton is unable to recall some of the evening's events, apparently due to his level of intoxication.
Mr Grogin agreed Bolton had been under a media spotlight in the eight months since the offence, and accepted it had not been "a pleasant time".
"As a result of his actions, he has come under the scrutiny of no doubt his family, club officials, the media ... and the public," Mr Grogin said.
"Mr Bolton put himself in the spotlight by committing an offence. The fact he is a rugby league player is of no consequence to the court or me."
Mr Grogin said the victim likely experienced anxiety ahead of Monday's hearing, where she would have given evidence had Bolton's barrister not negotiated a guilty plea.
He found Bolton's behaviour was an "aberration" for a person of otherwise good character, who has shown remorse and has excellent prospects of rehabilitation.
Police prosecutor Jamie Palmer said such actions "whether by footballers, men, or members of the community in general" are "unacceptable".
Bolton, a Cowboys veteran, has played more than 200 games for the club over a period of 12 years. He did not speak as he left court accompanied by club officials.
His barrister Ben Clark told the court that Bolton is in "the twilight of his career" and a shadow will remain over him despite the more serious indecent assault charge being withdrawn.
"Unfortunately, your honour, mud sticks," Mr Clark said.
Speaking outside court, Cowboys director of football Peter Parr said the court accepted there was no indecent conduct or violence by Bolton.
He said the process had been "difficult ... for all involved".
"We just want to move on now and get ready for our season," Mr Parr said.
"Scott will make a statement in due course."