NRL journalist Paul Kent charged with affray over Rozelle brawl

by CHRISTINE LAI

Rugby league journalist Paul Kent Rugby league journalist Paul Kent has broken his silence following an alleged brawl in Sydney’s inner west where he was charged with affray.

The Fox Sports NRL 360 co-host was hospitalised with a suspected collapsed lung and multiple broken ribs after an alleged street altercation at Totti’s restaurant in Rozelle.

Emergency services responded to reports of a scuffle involving two men shortly after 11 pm on Saturday, April 27.

Video footage captures Kent engaging in a heated argument with another individual, prompting security staff and patrons to intervene. The altercation escalated into a physical confrontation, spilling onto the street. The video concludes with Kent colliding with a tree.

Brawl erupts in Rozelle

NSW Police announced the charge in a statement: “About 11.20pm on Saturday 27 April 2024, two men allegedly engaged in a verbal argument before they became involved in a physical altercation outside a restaurant on Evans Street, Rozelle”.

“Following further inquiries, a 54-year-old man was arrested at Newtown Police Station today. He was charged with one count of affray.”

Kent’s lawyer, George Elias, stated that the Daily Telegraph columnist had been undergoing medical tests in the hospital to determine if he suffered a collapsed lung when he was thrown into a roadside tree by the individual he confronted.

Kent returned home hours after reports surfaced detailing his hospitalisation due to serious injuries sustained in the brawl.

When questioned about his condition, Kent simply responded, “good,” declining to elaborate on the details of the incident.

“It’s going to court, you’ll get to see all that then,” he stated.

“It’s all fine, I’m just getting on with it, right? Getting on with life, going through what has got to be done. I’m disappointed but such is life, mate. Things happen, so get up and go again”, he added.

Elias emphasised, “He just needs to get his health in order.”

When asked about the nature of his injuries, Kent replied, “A couple of ribs are probably not like they should be…you win them, you wear them, mate… such is life, who cares? It’s done. Can’t change it now.”

On Tuesday, Chris Murphy, the high-profile lawyer representing the 35-year-old man involved, stated, “I believe my client was the subject of violence from two other men and this was occasioned to him while he was retreating from Paul Kent.”

Murphy explained that as a group passed by the venue, Kent accused his client of making a remark, an accusation his client denies. Murphy emphasised that his client acted in self-defence.

“It is perfectly legal to try and defend yourself when under attack, wrestling and grappling to get away from the attacker. Kent appeared ready to strike and pursued my client across the street as he attempted to retreat.”

Murphy is a high-profile criminal defence lawyer with a track record of representing prominent clients. His previous cases include defending sports figures like former South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess and former Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri.

Paul Kent acquitted of allegations of choking ex-girlfriend

Last year Kent was accused of assaulting and choking his then-girlfriend following a domestic dispute at his Lilyfield home.

During the two-day hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, Kent denied choking the woman but admitted to a physical “wrestle” over the sports reporter’s mobile phone.

Magistrate Daniel Rees told the court he could not find the charges proven beyond reasonable doubt. Kent was acquitted and reinstated as a co-host of Fox’s NRL 360 show in February.

The rugby league personality has been stood down by his employer News Corp while they conduct a review of his involvement in the incident. On Monday night, former England international James Graham stepped in to take over Kent’s NRL 360 co-hosting duties.

Under NSW law, the maximum penalty for affray is 10 years in prison, making it a more serious offence than assault.

Kent was granted bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 24 May 2024.