Paris. Tried for domestic violence, former All-Black Byron Kelleher remains in denial

Nervous and staring into space. This Monday, May 6, 2024, Byron Kelleher appeared before the Criminal Court of Paris for acts of violence perpetrated against his partner, dating from June 24, 2023. The former New Zealand star was placed in police custody on October 16, 2023, following a filing complaint.

According to the defendant’s partner, these shots are by no means the first. Since her affair with the rugby player in 2010, the complainant has allegedly been the victim of multiple attacks. Many of them allegedly took place while the defendant was under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol, a trigger for violence?

While former All-Blacks international Byron Kelleher, at the helm, denies part of the facts with which he is accused, the victim recounts scenes of violence against a backdrop of argument and alcohol. According to her, that evening, he slapped her several times, pushed her and strangled her, before she refugee in the bathroom.

Numerous testimonies, notably that of their shared son, attest to a excessive consumption of alcohol from Byron Kelleher. This is not the first time that the former rugby professional has been involved in an affair where alcohol seems to play a major role.

Violent behavior on both sides?

After more than an hour of timidly answering questions from the chair of the session, Byron Kelleher explained that his companion also uttered offensive remarks and behaved violently towards him. He even mentions a broken toothto which the victim retorts that the incident occurred while he was eating a Snickers.

The defense lawyer also highlights inconsistencies in the victim’s statements, as well as the deterioration of Byron Kelleher’s mental health since the events.

In the evening, Byron Kelleher was finally sentenced to 6 months suspended prison sentence. He will also have to pay a fine of 1,000 euros and pay 800 euros to his ex-partner for moral damage.

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