Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sydney Roosters player, in hospital; unable to attend court over domestic violence charges

Sydney Roosters back Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been unable to attend court on domestic violence charges this morning because he is in hospital.

Kenny-Dowall was due to front Waverley Local Court on 10 charges, including one charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault and stalking, which involved his former partner, Jessica Peris.

Charges also included use of a mobile phone to menace or harass and cause damage to property, which court documents showed involved Peris' mobile phone.
The offences occurred between October 2014 and June 2015.

Kenny-Dowall's solicitor, Chris Watson, presented a letter from the Wesley Hospital, where the Roosters player is an inpatient. No other details were provided.
Mr Watson said he had been unable to speak to his client so far and the case was adjourned until August.

It is unclear if the New Zealand national will have to appear on that occasion. No pleas were entered.

Roosters confirm Kenny-Dowall under specialist care

The Sydney Roosters confirmed Kenny-Dowall was under specialist care.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the 27-year-old, who did not play against the Warriors on the weekend, was in a "dark place".

"I've had many chats with Shaun about this. It's a tough period for him at the moment. He's in a bit of a dark place with where things are at," Robinson told Peter Sterling on Fox Sports.
Robinson said he knew about possible charges being laid for "a few weeks" and urged the public not to jump to any conclusions.

"There's been a lot of opinion, and naturally people want to comment on this," he said.
"There's a public face to something that we don't like in society, but there's going to come a time and place for judging that and that's not right now.
"I know we want to immediately, but he needs his time.

"There has been one side told of this story and there's going to be another and that's where we just need some time."
Domestic violence groups on Wednesday called for the NRL to take a hard-line stance on players charged with serious crimes.

"I think where players have been charged with serious offences, particularly assaults against women, the NRL and the clubs must immediately move to stand that player down," Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia executive officer Karen Willis said.