Former Penrith Panthers winger Taylan May is now eligible to return to the National Rugby League (NRL) after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn by police on March 10, 2025. This development marks a significant turning point for the 23-year-old athlete, who has faced accusations stemming from incidents last year.
May was accused of assaulting his wife, Jess May, during an altercation at their Werrington home, where police alleged he punched her in the face and forehead, and verbally threatened her. During the court proceedings, the gravity of the situation was underscored with police citing specific claims of May saying, "I hate you so much I wouldn’t care if I killed you" and other threatening remarks.
While Taylan May maintained his innocence throughout the process, he had pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and counts of stalking or intimidation. The accusations had serious repercussions on his professional life, leading to his indefinite suspension from the NRL under its no-fault stand-down policy since May 2024.
The case reached a pivotal moment when Magistrate Stephen Corry decided against adjourning the court session due to the absence of key witnesses, particularly Jess May and her sister, who were expected to testify against him. The court learned through police testimonies and investigations conducted prior to the hearing date, they faced challenges reaching Jess May, who had reportedly opted to avoid attending court. The prosecutor's request to adjourn was declined, leading to the ultimate withdrawal of charges.
Phillip Boulten SC, May's barrister, eloquently argued for the charges’ dismissal by indicating, "there is a real contest about if she was assaulted at all" and noted Jess May had previously sought to vary the conditions of the apprehended violence order (AVO) so they could maintain contact. Boulten emphasized the undue stress placed on May by the prolonged legal scrutiny, stating, "Enough is enough... can we just allow these people to move on?"
The withdrawal of the domestic violence charges marks the end of this chapter of legal troubles for May and opens the door for his potential re-entry to the NRL. Peter V'landys, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), confirmed, "Now there is no pending charge, he’s free to play. The no-fault stand-down policy is always on police charge. The police charges have been dropped…. Unless some other evidence emerges, he’s free to play." This positive outcome follows nearly one year of suspension when substantial allegations affected his rugby career.
Despite being cleared of the criminal charges, May still faces the AVO, which remains active for another six months. The developmen has also attracted interest from several NRL clubs eager to sign the talented back, with the Wests Tigers reportedly among the teams considering him, particularly after the expected retirement of their player Justin Olam.
Before being stood down, May was recognized for his talent, making 30 appearances for the Panthers and contributing to their 2022 grand final victory. His previous disciplinary issues, including off-field indiscretions, had already decided his fate with the Panthers, culminating in his departure from the club last July following mutual agreement and settlement.
Reflecting on his circumstances, May has remained low-profile since the legal proceedings began, leaving Penrith courthouse without making any comments or statements to the media. Although relieved for the charges being withdrawn, the shadow of the AVO and his troubled past linger as he navigates his possible return to the sport he loves.