Footy star arrested over allegations he punched and kicked a woman in the face in domestic violence incident

NRL star Taylan May is set to face court after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning over an alleged domestic violence incident which allegedly took place in April.

NSW Police confirmed at about 5am on Saturday, a man, 22, was arrested at an address in Penrith in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident which occurred last month.

‘Police were told about 9pm on Monday 8 April 2024, the man allegedly assaulted a woman known to him during an argument at a home in Werrington,’ a statement read.

‘It is alleged he punched her in the face and leg.

‘The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), and two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV).’

May was granted conditional bail and will appear before Penrith Local Court on May 28. 

May, 21, signed a contract extension in March earlier this year, committing to Penrith until at least the end of 2026.

He won’t feature this weekend in Brisbane during Magic Round. 

The Panthers released a statement on Saturday as news of May’s arrest became public.

‘Penrith Panthers are aware of an alleged incident regarding player Taylan May, which has resulted in police charges.

‘Panthers has informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will cooperate throughout the process.

‘As this is a legal matter, the club will make no further comment at this stage.’

Earlier this month, May revealed why he has the word ‘pain’ tattooed under his right eye.

‘It’s basically a bit of a message for everything I’ve been through,’ May told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘Growing up, the trauma….I was in housing commission my whole life, except for last year when my parents bought a house. It was a tough upbringing.’

May also went onto explain why he got his surname tattooed on his neck.

‘I got this during our week off a few weeks ago,’ he said. ‘I got mate’s rates. I don’t like fitting into society’s agenda. I like to be different. That’s the reason behind it.

‘I have no regrets. I am what I am.’

May attracted headlines earlier this year after posting a video to social media that appears to show him in a car that’s doing almost double the speed limit in a  residential area.

A link to the Sydney-based Ruthless Rentals car hire business was added to the footage, with distinctive tattoos on the driver’s left arm proving May is not behind the wheel.

The Instagram accounts for both May and Ruthless Rentals were later taken down, with the NRL Integrity Unit and Penrith following up on it.

‘I’ve put myself in other people’s shoes,’ May said of the incident. ‘I was in the car, but I wasn’t driving – I can’t say who was driving.

‘I didn’t think there was [much in it] but that’s the world we live in. We are high-profile [NRL players], so any little thing [becomes a story]. I heard I was under investigation, but I didn’t read into it much.

‘I’m back on social media now. I needed a reset. I’ll do it here and there. I’ll probably do it again. I don’t like to see all the negative stuff. I know that’s what comes with it.’