Blast from the past:
Addison Demetriou: One-time NRL prospect stood down by Newtown Jets amid domestic violence allegations
A NSW Cup centre who was once a shining NRL prospect has been stood down by his club amid ‘serious’ domestic violence allegations, including choking charges.
by Aymon Bertah and Eliza Barr
A barnstorming NSW Cup centre who was once a shining NRL prospect has been stood down by the Newtown Jets amid serious domestic violence allegations, including choking charges.
Addison Demetriou last ran out for the Jets in round 8 in April – but he is now behind bars on remand over allegations he assaulted his partner.
The 29-year-old was once described as “one of the most exciting young players” at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and was part of the National Youth Cup team of the decade alongside NRL stars Viliame Kikau, Tom Trbojevic, Shaun Johnson, Konrad Hurrell and Nat Butcher.
Demetriou did not appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday when his matter was briefly mentioned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund.
The former National Youth Cup team of the year centre pleaded not guilty to intentionally choking a person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, two counts of stalking or intimidation, contravening an AVO and he is due to defend the matter later this year.
Police allege in court documents that Demetriou intentionally choked a woman without her consent at Darlinghurst in February.
At Eastern Creek the following month, he is alleged to have stalked or intimidated the same woman with the intention of causing her to fear physical or mental harm and also occasioned actual bodily harm to her.
The same month, he is alleged to have assaulted a man at Punchbowl.
Demetriou is then alleged to have stalked or intimidated the same woman in May at South Nowra.
Just more than a week later he allegedly contravened an apprehended domestic violence order at Kingsgrove – believed to be protecting a different woman.
The Jets confirmed in a statement that Demetriou was “immediately stood down” from the club in lieu of the “serious” criminal charges laid against him, “pending determination” of the matter.
“The Newtown Jets support the values of our game for a zero tolerance towards violence and in particular that of a domestic nature,” the statement said.
A NSW Rugby League spokeswoman echoed the Jets’ statement and said it supported the club’s action.
The matter will return for a hearing in December with Demetriou’s Legal Aid lawyer estimating it will last one day.
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