Parramatta Eels’ Dylan Brown’s letter of apology after groping woman at Golden Sheaf, Double Bay

An NRL star had consumed up to 20 alcoholic drinks before touching a woman’s breasts without her consent at a popular Sydney hotel.

In Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court, Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown pleaded guilty on Wednesday to touching a woman’s breasts twice without her consent at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay on June 3.

He was charged with five counts of sexually touching the woman without consent, but three were dropped by police due to the guilty plea.

The 23-year-old stood before Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson in a black suit and tie when his lawyer David Newham told the court Brown would plead guilty to two of the charges.

The court heard details from an apology letter Brown had sent to a victim, which read, “Forgiveness is not something I feel I have a right to ask for…I am so sorry for my actions towards you.”

Mr Newham said Brown’s fouls came just 25 seconds apart but that a ‘football career he had worked so hard for’ was now in tatters.

According to court documents, the 20-year-old victim was on the dance floor of the Golden Sheaf with a friend when Brown, whom she did not know, approached her and grabbed her left breast.

Moments later, Brown touched her other breast, prompting her to push it away.

“This made the victim feel uncomfortable, as she did not give him permission to touch her,” the agreed fact sheet said.

Mr Newham told the court the 20-year-old victim had every right to ‘go out without the threat of assault’ and said Brown knew ‘what trouble he was in today’.

“When Mr Brown saw the footage the reality of the behavior dawned on him, he closed his eyes and bowed his head,” Mr Newham told the court. “The shock when he saw what he did.”

Mr Newham said Brown had had 15-20 drinks throughout the night and had no recollection of the offense but said his client was ‘so much more’ than the charge.

Brown, who was supported by his parents and sports manager, sat head down in the front of the public gallery as his lawyer told the court about his “generosity” and “big heart.”

The court was told that he worked with autistic children and the homeless in Parramatta, while also donating money to children’s charities.

“He didn’t want this to be revealed in court… not because of his ego or fame, he has a great mind and a generous heart,” Mr Newham said.

The court was told that Brown had also written an apology letter to the victim.

Mr Newham asked Ms Atkinson to bear in mind that she was condemning a ‘good man’.

A police prosecutor agreed that the young woman was just trying to go out, “have a good night and enjoy yourself” when she ran into Brown.

“Women should go and enjoy themselves … they should not be approached by young men who do not know them and grab them in a sexual way,” the prosecutor said.

The incident was reported to site security before the police were called and Brown was taken to Rose Bay Police Station, but he was given an ‘investigation time-out’ due to his intoxication.

Ms Atkinson told the court that what Brown did was ‘not acceptable’ and no one ‘should be subject to this’ when they go out.

She said it was “disturbing” that he had consumed so much alcohol and urged him to “get help.”

“That young lady, she went out, she had a right to be on the venue, she had a right to be on the dance floor, a right to be free from whatever happened,” Ms Atkinson said.

“We have to acknowledge the damage.”

Ms Atkinson admitted that Brown acknowledged the harm to the victim, but convicted him on both charges.

Brown was sentenced to 18 months community service.

“I’m not going to let you fail… you have to learn from this,” the magistrate said.

“You have some work to do.”

Away from court, Mr Newham told media Brown was ‘deeply sorry’ for what he had done.

“But the case is over now and he wants to move on,” he said, answering no further questions.

Born in New Zealand, Brown has made 95 appearances for the Eels since making his debut with the team in 2019 when he was just 18.

Once the news was made public, the NRL exercised their discretion under their ‘no fault’ policy to sideline Brown.

“The Parramatta Eels have been informed by the NRL that Dylan Brown has been withdrawn from the squad as part of the NRL’s no-fault withdrawal policy in relation to last weekend’s (alleged) incident,” the club said in a statement at the time. .

“Dylan will not be eligible for selection until he is cleared by the NRL.

“Out of respect for the legal process now underway, the club will not be commenting further at this time.”

The NRL is expected to make a decision on Brown’s playing future in the coming days.