Tyrone May charged by NSW Police with video offences
Michael Chammas & Dan Walsh
Tue 5 Mar 2019, 12:15 PM
Panthers five-eighth Tyrone May has been charged by NSW Police in the latest twist in the series of videos which have been leaked showing Penrith players engaged in lewd behaviour.
May and Penrith lower-grader Liam Coleman were summoned to Penrith Police Station on Tuesday morning after the police became involved as a result of a number of videos entering the public domain.
NSW Police charged May with two counts of recording intimate image without consent, and two counts of disseminate image without consent.
He was granted bail and will appear in court in Penrith Local Court on May 1.
It came after a complaint from two women, who allege they didn't give permission for the distribution of the videos.
There's no suggestion the women complained about sexual misconduct.
The Panthers have confirmed they have notified the NRL Integrity Unit of the police involvement.
"We are aware of the charges," Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said.
"I've spoken to Tyrone May and he will vigorously deny the charges."
NRL.com understands May isn't the one who leaked the video to the public.
The Panthers believe a player who is currently at another NRL club is responsible for sending it out beyond a group of May's friends and it found its way into social media.
The club passed that name on to the NRL Integrity Unit on Monday, with that player expected to be interviewed today.
Penrith are bracing for the potential release of more videos.
NSW Police released a statement on Tuesday. May is alleged to have filmed and disseminated "sexual acts with two women without their knowledge and consent".
"In February 2018, a 22-year-old man allegedly filmed a sexual act with a woman at Coffs Harbour. It is further alleged that in May 2018, the same 22-year-old man filmed a sexual act with another woman at Kingswood.
"Police have been told that while the sexual acts were consensual, the women were unaware they were being filmed. These recordings were also allegedly disseminated without their consent.
"Over the past few days, the women became aware the existence of the videos and contacted police. Following inquiries, about 9am today, a 22-year-old man presented at Penrith Police Station where he was arrested.
"The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Penrith Local Court on Wednesday 1 May 2019. Inquiries are continuing."
https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/03/05/tyrone-may-charged-by-nsw-police-with-two-video-offences/