Penrith Panthers NRL player Tyrone May has narrowly avoided jail and been sentenced to a three-year community corrections order over a sex tape scandal.
May has been sidelined for nearly a year since being arrested over the videos from 2018, which were filmed without consent.
One incident occurred at a Coffs Harbour motel and a second involved a woman in western Sydney three months later.
The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in November to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.
Magistrate Robyn Denes today sentenced May to 300 hours of community service, as well as psychological intervention, during his three-year community corrections order.
"This behaviour is not only morally reprehensible, it's criminal," she told Parramatta Local Court.
"Ultimately, this is an offence which takes what was consensual sexual acts to another level. It does breach trust."
Magistrate Denes warned May's offending placed him "on the cusp" of a custodial sentence and questioned whether he showed any remorse.
His lawyer, Richard Pontello SC, said May apologised to one of the women in a text message when the scandal became public.
The court heard the text message read: "Oh f***, so sorry about this. I hope you're okay and I'll try to keep you in the loop … thanks for being such a legend".
The police prosecutor said a strong message needed to be sent about women being "more than playthings".
Mr Pontello, in May's defence, argued he was a role model in the community and worked with an education program called "Panthers on the Prowl".
"What an inappropriate name," Magistrate Denes replied.
"As soon as I read it I went, 'well they didn't think that one through did they?'.
"They might need to change that name."
Mr Pontello said: "I'm sure they'll take it on board, your honour."
He argued May had suffered depression and his career was "hanging by a thread".
The court heard the Panthers player arranged to meet the first woman for sex when he was injured and became impatient to return to the game.
May was supported in court by his friend and Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary.
He was one of the first players to be stood down under the code's "no fault" policy, which can see players sidelined if they face criminal charges until their court matters are finalised.
The crackdown on bad behaviour came after a series of off-field incidents at various clubs, which pressured the NRL to act on serious allegations prior to them being tested in court.
May has continued to receive full pay and train with his teammates while he was suspended.
He and Cleary both left court without making any comment.
