Rising NRL star Tristan Sailor, 22, is accused of DRUGGING a woman, 24, during drinks in Bondi before violently raping her at her home - as his text messages to her the next day are revealed
Rising NRL star Tristan Sailor has been accused of drugging a 24-year-old woman at Bondi's Beach Road Hotel before raping her at her house in what police have described as a 'planned and predatory' incident.
The 22-year-old, who is the son of NRL legend Wendell Sailor, was charged with aggravated sexual assault following the alleged incident last weekend.
Sailor, who is set to be released by St George Illawarra at the end of the season, was arrested in Wollongong on Saturday.
Wollongong Court on Sunday heard the alleged victim was unknowingly administered a 'sedative'.
Rising NRL star Tristan Sailor has been accused of drugging a 24-year-old woman at Bondi's Beach Road Hotel before raping her at a house
Sailor, who is set to be released by St George Illawarra at the end of the season, was arrested in Wollongong on Saturday. Pictured with his mother Tara leaving court on Sunday
The NRL have since stood the young star down under their no-fault policy, invoked last year after the game's summer from hell. Pictured with his wife Tara leaving court on Sunday
The court heard the woman texted Sailor the next morning asking if they had sex
The court heard the woman texted Sailor the next morning asking if they had sex.
'What happened last night?' the woman messaged the day after the alleged incident, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
'Sorry I had to go, how are you feeling today?' Mr Sailor responded.
'Tristan I don't remember anything after the Uber to mine, need to know for peace of mind, what happened - did we have sex?' she allegedly replied.
'Sorry I was out. We were playing drinking games and yes we did have sex I asked you and victim's so everything was sweet. I pulled out and everything so it was sweet,' he allegedly wrote back.
Sailor's barrister Richard Pontello SC argued the text exchange proved his client's innocence.
Police allege the sedative was found in the woman's blood stream, and she denies ever knowingly taking the substance.
Mr Pontello argued the woman could have been drugged by 'dozens of people' given she was drinking at the busy Beach Road Hotel prior to going home with Sailor.
Sailor was released on strict conditional bail.
His mother Tara walked him out of court into a waiting media pack, before the pair were picked up by Wendell Sailor in a black car.
'Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the woman, during which she sustained injuries, at a home in Sydney's south last Saturday,' police said in a statement.
The NRL have since stood the young star down under their no-fault policy, invoked last year after the game's summer from hell.
It means even if he attracts the interest of another club, he won't be able to return to the field until his court case is complete.
His mother Tara walked him out of court into a waiting media pack, before the pair were picked up by Wendell Sailor in a black car
Wollongong Court on Sunday heard the alleged victim was unknowingly administered a 'sedative,' with police describing the alleged incident as 'predatory and planned'. Pictured with his mother Tara leaving court on Sunday
The 22-year-old playmaker , who is the son of Wendell Sailor (centre back), remains part of the Dragons club until his contract expires on October 31
'The game has the strongest stance in Australian sport on these matters,' chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
'The no-fault stand down rule ensures the automatic stand down of a player on a no-fault basis when they are charged with a serious criminal offence.
'The player is not contracted to play in the NRL next season and will not be permitted to play while he remains subject to serious criminal charges.'
'The club is taking the matter very seriously and will continue to work with Tristan and all relevant authorities,' the Dragons said in a statement.
'While Tristan won't be at the Dragons in 2021, the club will continue to provide any necessary welfare support as he comes to terms with the matter.'
Sailor has had five games at the Dragons since making his debut in late 2019 before being told last month he would not be re-signed.
Sailor has had five games at the Dragons since making his debut in late 2019 before being told last month he would not be re-signed
Sailior's barrister argued the woman could have been drugged by 'dozens of people' given she was drinking at the busy Beach Road Hotel prior to going home with the football star
Sailor was granted strict conditional bail on Wollongong Court on Sunday
A former Queensland under-20s player, he was expected to attract plenty of interest from clubs once further details of next year's salary cap and roster numbers were finalised.
The 22-year-old playmaker remains part of the Dragons club until his contract expires on October 31.
His arrest came on a chaotic day for the NRL.
Parramatta centre Michael Jennings had earlier been stood down for returning a positive test to performance-enhancing drugs, just hours before the Eels' semi-final against South Sydney.
Jennings denies the allegations.
It also comes just weeks before fellow Dragons player Jack de Belin is set to defend aggravated sexual assault charges levelled against him in a Wollongong court.