New Zealand Warriors forward Josh Curran has been handed a two-match suspension and a huge fine by the NRL after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a teenager in a NSW mid-north coast nightclub last year.
In Port Macquarie Local Court on June 26, Curran pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the incident on 2022 NRL Grand Final night.
A further two charges were dropped.
Curran reportedly hit the 16-year-old at around 3am after noticing the teen had been filming him without his consent through the evening while the pair were exchanging social media details.
The Warriors star and Darug man was out with family and friends and left the venue after the incident.
Curran escaped conviction after his defence lawyer argued the 24-year-old has "never been in trouble before" and after the teen chose not to give evidence in the matter.
'My client told the young person he didn't trust him and then there was a melee where one strike occurred which has caused blood to the mouth,' his defence lawyer Paul McGirr said, according to reports.
Magistrate Greg Grogan said it should serve as a "wake up call" for Curran.
On Monday, the NRL issued Curran with a breach notice following a review by the league's integrity unit.
They proposed a two-match suspension and $10,000 fine, with the Warriors decision to drop Curran from their round 18 match against the Warriors on Friday counting towards the penalty.
Curran has also been directed towards education and training as advised by the NRL.
He will next be available for re-selection to play in round 20.
Curran has five days to respond to the breach notice.
