FOX Sports presenter Paul Kent cleared of domestic violence allegations

NRL 360 host Paul Kent has been found not guilty of allegations he attacked and choked his then-partner at his home in Sydney’s inner west.

Following the two-day hearing, magistrate Daniel Rees told the court he could not find the charges proven beyond reasonable doubt.

In May he pleaded not guilty to two domestic violence-related offences after a 33-year-old woman alleged she had been choked. A third domestic violence offence, of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was added last month. Kent denied all three charges.

Mr Rees said Mr Kent had acted in defence of his own property after his former partner Lucinda Kennedy took his phone following an argument.

“I’m not persuaded in the struggle he put his hands on her throat. Thus, I am not satisfied beyond reasonable (doubt),” Mr Rees said.

“He acknowledges picking up and moving her. That is not unreasonable, and doesn’t appear to have been forceful.”
Outside of court, Mr Kent told reporters the result was “vindication” and that the allegations had been a “setback”.

“The judge accepted what happened to the point that my barrister was not even required to make a final summation,” he said.

“The truth is out there, finally. It’s been a big cost to me, it’s been a big set back in my life. But, we’ve all got our struggles in life.

“This is my one currently, so it’s up to me now to regroup and get back to my normal life. I can finally leave this all behind.”

The rugby reporter was temporarily removed from his position with FOX Sports and The Daily Telegraph following the charges.

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Source: Daily Telegraph