Joshua McGuire to stand trial over child choking allegations

Former NRL player Joshua McGuire has been committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court following allegations of strangling and assaulting a five-year-old child. The charges, which date back to December, were addressed during a committal hearing where Magistrate Belinda Merrin described the allegations as “extremely serious”.

The court heard evidence including markings on the child’s neck and the child’s demeanour following the alleged incident. While McGuire’s barrister, Kim Bryson, cross-examined a witness regarding post-incident conversations, the case was progressed to the District Court with the consent of the defense.

McGuire, a former Queensland Maroons player who represented clubs including the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, and St George Illawarra Dragons, was unsuccessful in part of his application to vary bail conditions.