The case of a former NRL star accused of strangling a child has returned to a Brisbane courtroom, where it was revealed on Monday that pertinent evidence had not been disclosed to his legal team.
Josh McGuire, a former Queensland Maroons star who has played for several Queensland and NSW rugby league clubs, was charged in December over the alleged strangulation of a five-year-old.
McGuire received watchhouse bail after his arrest, and was expected to front court on December 17. However, in the days leading up to the hearing, his case was adjourned.
The 35-year-old did not appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Emma Kearney, representing McGuire, told Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett documents had not been released to the defence team.
“There’s been an issue with this matter. The brief of evidence has not been disclosed, despite the arresting officer telling our office prior to Christmas that they were in possession of [the material],” she said.
“Nothing has been disclosed to our office.”
Kearney said the material was pertinent and flagged that McGuire wished to vary his bail conditions.
She asked for the material to be disclosed within the week.
The court heard the prosecution had received a large portion of the brief of evidence, and asked for an adjournment of two weeks to process it.
Gett said the brief was now overdue, and ordered for material to be disclosed by February 9.
McGuire’s case will return to court on February 16.
He played almost 200 games for the Brisbane Broncos before joining the North Queensland Cowboys and later the St George Illawarra Dragons. He also played 14 State of Origin matches for the Maroons.
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Cloe Read is the crime and court reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via X or email.