The former partner of Kiwi and Sydney Roosters star centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall has told a Sydney court she was head-butted and kicked by the NRL footballer during separate assaults in February and March 2015.
The Roosters NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall playing for the Kiwis. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Jessica Peris, the daughter of federal senator Nova Peris, alleges she was assaulted several times by Kenny-Dowall during their relationship in 2014 and 2015.
Kenny-Dowall has pleaded not guilty to charges including one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, and several allegations of stalking and intimidating Ms Peris.
The incidents allegedly took place over an eight-month period between October 2014 and June last year.
Ms Peris has given evidence to the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney.
The court heard details of an earlier alleged assault occasioning actual bodily harm, in which Kenny-Dowall is accused of pinning Ms Peris against a wall, punching a picture next to her head, and gripping and bruising her arm.
Ms Peris, who is a full-time athlete and Rio Olympics hopeful, told the court her relationship with Kenny-Dowall was tumultuous and characterised by conflict and jealousy.
She said the pair's relationship first turned violent when Kenny-Dowall took her mobile phone and locked himself in a bathroom.
When he emerged, he allegedly threw the phone across the room and smashed it.
The court also heard details of an incident in February last year when the couple argued over whether Kenny-Dowall's dog could sleep indoors.
Police allege Kenny-Dowall subsequently grabbed Ms Peris in a headlock, forced her to the ground and subsequently head-butted her.
In an incident the following month, Ms Peris alleges Kenny-Dowall repeatedly kicked her as she was trying to get into bed following a night out.
-ABC
