Ex-NRL star's child-choking, assault charges aired in court for first time

Monday, 2 February 2026 19:23

Charges against former NRL star Josh McGuire have been aired in court for the first time since he was accused of choking and assaulting a child.

The ex-Brisbane NRL forward and Queensland State of Origin player was due to appear in person in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after an initial date in December was adjourned.

However, solicitor Emma Kearney made an application for the 35-year-old to be excused from appearing, which was granted by Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett.

McGuire, who is on bail, is charged with choking, suffocation or strangulation against a child as well as common assault against a child.

Kearney also asked Gett to force prosecutors to disclose evidence in the case.

"The brief of evidence has not been disclosed despite the arresting officer telling our office prior (to) Christmas that they were in possession of a (statement of evidence by a child) and a statement by the complainant child's mother," she said.

"Nothing has been disclosed to our office."

Kearney said the material was "particularly pertinent" for McGuire to make changes to his bail conditions.

"The Crown has opposed all attempts to vary bail … we can't reasonably make any application in the absence of that evidence," she said.

Kearney sought a direction that prosecutors provide the evidence within a week.

The prosecutor called for a two-week adjournment to process and provide the evidence to McGuire's defence.

"A large portion of the brief of evidence has been received by our office. We are in the process of disclosing material," the prosecutor said.

Gett ordered prosecutors to provide the child and mother's statements to McGuire's defence within the next week.

The case was adjourned to February 16 and McGuire's bail was extended.

McGuire played 259 NRL games over 15 seasons after beginning his career at the Brisbane Broncos in 2009.

He earned 14 Origin caps for Queensland and played Tests for Samoa and Australia before finishing his stellar run in the UK Super League for Warrington in 2023.

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