Warrington Wolves rugby league star, 29, ‘fractured girlfriend’s eye socket and left her with serious injuries in attack that saw him suspended by club’
- New Zealand-born centre Anthony Gelling is accused of attacking his girlfriend
- Gelling, 29, was arrested by Cheshire Police at home in Widnes on February 8
- He has been charged with grievous bodily harm without intent, which he denies
Rugby League ace Anthony Gelling has been charged with fracturing his girlfriend’s socket in an alleged attack that led to his suspension from Warrington Wolves.
New Zealand-born centre Gelling, 29, is accused of assaulting his ex-lover Toni Mackey on February 6 at his home in Widnes, Cheshire.
Ms Mackey attended Whiston Hospital the day after the incident and was found to have suffered ‘serious’ injuries, including a fractured eye socket.
She has since returned to New Zealand, Warrington Magistrates Court heard today.
Anthony Gelling (right), 29, is accused of assaulting his ex-lover Toni Mackey (left) on February 6 at his home in Widnes, Cheshire. Ms Mackey attended Whiston Hospital the day after the incident and was found to have suffered ‘serious’ injuries, including a fractured eye socket
Gelling (pictured playing in St Helens v Wigan Warriors during the Betfred Super League in September 2017) was arrested at around 3pm on February 8 after police received reports of an assault and subsequently suspended by Super League club Warrington Wolves
Gelling, a Cook Islands international rugby league player, was arrested at around 3pm on February 8 after police received reports of an assault and subsequently suspended by Super League club Warrington Wolves.
Supported in court today by Warrington’s head of rugby operations Kylie Leuluai, the 6ft 5in, 16st centre spoke only to confirm his name, address, date of birth and to deny a charge of grievous bodily harm without intent.
Defence solicitor Shaun Draycott told the court that his client had pleaded not guilty because he had ‘acted appropriately and reasonably’.
Gelling was quizzed by detectives before being released on conditional bail pending further inquiries by police.
He returned to the field for their Super League match at Hull FC in March, scoring a try in the club’s last game before the season was suspended due to coronavirus.
Supported in court by Warrington’s head of rugby operations Kylie Leuluai, Gelling spoke to confirm his name, address, date of birth and to deny a charge of grievous bodily harm
A Cheshire Police spokesman said: ‘Detectives have charged a 29-year-old man with grievous bodily harm without intent.
‘Anthony Gelling appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court today, Tuesday.
‘The charge relates to an incident at an address on Cronton Lane Mews in Widnes in February.’
Gelling was released on bail and will appear before Liverpool Crown Court next month.
Auckland-born Gelling first came through the ranks of the Sydney Roosters in the NRL before making more than 100 appearances for Wigan in the Super League.
He went back to New Zealand in 2017 before returning to the UK in 2018 to play for Widnes Vikings before signing for Challenge Cup Winners Warrington.