Former Wigan Warriors star George Burgess has appeared in court today – Monday 31st March – in Australia after being accused of “sexual touching” according to reports.
The former England international and Wigan Warriors prop had a brilliant career cut short by injury. He was the first to follow brother Sam – now Head Coach at Warrington Wolves – to South Sydney Rabbitohs and would play alongside his brothers as Souths won the 2014 Grand Final.
They would also routinely represent England together. He would also be the first to have a return to Super League when he joined Wigan Warriors.
His twin brother Tom is emulating the move back to the UK by joining Huddersfield Giants for 2025 shockingly turning down a move to Warrington with his brother Sam.
George struggled with injuries at Wigan Warriors before returning to the NRL with St George Illawarra Dragons.
He would then retire much earlier than his twin and has since done some acting work.
Former Wigan Warriors star George Burgess appears in court
As reported by numerous outlets down under, the former Wigan Warriors prop George Burgess has been accused of one count of “sexual touching” without consent for allegedly touching the woman’s buttocks, an allegation he firmly denies.
Giving evidence in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, the 31-year-old said he had attended the woman’s home on March 8, 2022 to give her a signed St George Illawarra jersey. He said he placed his hand on the woman’s back – who cannot be named – realised she was uncomfortable and left.
“I sort of came behind her to see what tea she was using,” he said under questioning by his lawyer, Bryan Wrench according to Channel Nine, “At that point, I touched her on the lower back,” he added.
“I was being cheeky, I was being friendly,” he said, “I acknowledge that. It was nothing more than that.”
He would later receive the allegation and Burgess explained how this shocked him.
“I was gutted, I was shocked. I’ve never had anyone sort of say that about me, so I was quite taken aback by it for sure,” Burgess said.
Channel Nine also reported: “Burgess said he was “100 per cent” sorry for offending the woman and had sent later Snapchat messages in an attempt to defuse the situation.
“Earlier on Monday, the court heard the alleged victim mentioned that the English prop had “grabbed her on the arse” in discussions with a close friend.
“That friend, who also cannot be legally named, was told he could become a witness in the case if police contacted him, the court heard.”
