- Star faced Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Thursday
- Previously banned by the AFL for 18 matches
Former AFL player Tarryn Thomas has avoided a criminal conviction after police dropped a charge of using a telecommunications service to harass a woman.
The 24-year-old former North Melbourne player, who was dismissed from the team in February for repeated conduct offences, faced the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Thomas, who also uses the surname Trindall, pleaded guilty to breaching a court order by repeatedly calling a victim in April, the court was told.
But the police dropped the harassment charge.
Six of the calls were answered by the victim, who reported hearing heavy breathing on the other end of the line, the court was told.
Police seized Thomas’ phone in May after a search of his Ormond address, which revealed it was the phone used in the alleged calls.
Thomas is pictured laughing outside a Melbourne court on Thursday after police dropped charges against him
The ex-North Melbourne star was banned for 18 matches by the AFL for shocking behavior with a woman, including threatening her via direct messages
Magistrate James Henderson handed Thomas a 12-month good behavior bond on condition he continues therapy with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
The decision took into account Thomas’ guilty plea and his efforts to rehabilitate himself through therapy and connecting with the culture.
The court was told that Thomas’ father, who was abusive and had substance abuse problems, had prevented a 10- or 11-year-old Thomas from seeing his mother for years after the parents separated.
“Both medical professionals have determined that Mr. Trindall has suffered developmental trauma as a result of experiences he had as a child, and that those experiences have negatively impacted his behavior and his understanding of appropriate relationships,” said Thomas’ attorney Sally Vary .
‘He lacked role modeling. He missed a family connection. He lacked care, especially during that whole period, in those formative years.”
Thomas was sacked after being banned for 18 matches by the AFL, which confirmed in May that he could not play or train at any level of the game without league approval.
His ouster came after it emerged he had acted inappropriately towards a woman by engaging in multiple misconduct, including threatening a woman multiple times via direct messages.
In April 2023, North fined Thomas $5,000 for posting a video showing him driving dangerously, and required him to donate a further $5,000 to a road safety charity.
The AFL has been contacted for comment.