Sydney Swans star Elijah Taylor, 19, is charged with assault after the girlfriend he snuck into AFL quarantine made shocking allegations against him
- Elijah Taylor has been charged after allegations by ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce
- Taylor was charged with aggravated unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm
- The Sydney Swans star was questioned in Cannington Police Station on Sunday
- Former couple made headlines after Ms Pearce snuck into Swans' football hub
AFL rookie Elijah Taylor has been charged with aggravated assault following serious allegations made by his ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce on social media.
The 19-year-old was charged with aggravated unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm after he was taken into custody in Perth.
The Sydney Swans star was questioned for over five hours in Cannington Police Station on Sunday before leaving with a blanket covering his face.
Taylor will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on September 30 and has yet to enter a plea for his charges.
Elijah Taylor (pictured after his arrest in Perth) has been charged after allegations by ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce
Pearce (pictured) made headlines last month after she snuck into the Sydney Swans' quarantine hub in Perth
Earlier this month Ms Pearce made allegations of domestic violence against Taylor.
'The Sydney Swans are aware of allegations made on social media regarding first year player Elijah Taylor,' a Sydney Swans statement read.
'The allegations are very serious and are being treated as such.
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'The club had notified the AFL and is not in a position to comment further at this time.'
The AFL integrity unit is handling the investigation over the alleged incident.
'The allegations are extremely serious,' an AFL statement reads.
Taylor was arrested in Perth and placed in the back of a police van (pictured) before being driven to Cannington station
'The AFL has been in contact with local law enforcement and will continue to provide support and assistance for all.'
Taylor's manager Tom Seccull issued a statement saying the club is aware of the allegations.
'However, given the seriousness and sensitivity for those involved, we're not in a position to comment further at this stage,' he said.
The former couple made headlines last month after Taylor snuck Pearce into the Swans' AFL quarantine hub at Perth's Joondalup Resort.
His senior teammates reportedly discovered Ms Pearce in the hotel and raised the alarm, with Taylor suspended for the remainder of the 2020 season.
The 18-year-old had reportedly crossed a golf course to be reunited with her then boyfriend.
Ms Pearce reportedly snuck across the golf course and into the resort where the players were staying
Ms Pearce told Channel 7 she didn't see any security guards while sneaking into the hub.
'I just walked through, went to his room. That's how easy it was. I didn't jump any fences,' she said.
Ms Pearce had just completed her own mandatory self-quarantine period after flying in from Sydney.
Taylor was sent home in the aftermath of the scandal, while his club was fined a total of $50,000 - with $25,000 suspended.
The teenager had been staying with family in WA following the suspension for his breach.
Taylor, who is the nephew of former AFL star turned Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor, has played four games for the Swans since being drafted from Western Australia.
He made his AFL debut in the Swans' loss again the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG.
Elijah Taylor celebrates with Sydney Swans teammates after kicking his first AFL goal in his team's win against Hawthorn a the SCG on July 25
