North Queensland veteran Scott Bolton apologises after assault case ends

North Queensland forward Scott Bolton must still await clearance from the NRL before he is free to play in 2019.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty in Sydney’s Waverley Local court on Monday to a charge of common assault in May last year.

He grabbed a woman on the upper thigh as she was moving away from him at the Bondi Beach Public Bar.

Bolton received a 12-month good behaviour bond and no conviction was recorded.

But the NRL’s Integrity Unit will review the full court documents before giving Bolton final clearance to play in round one.

Bolton released a statement on Monday and apologised for the incident.

He said: “I am sorry for my actions on that night have caused distress to so many people including the lady, my wife and family. I also want to apologise to the club including my team-mates, members, partners and fans of the game I love.

“This has been a very difficult time for my wife and family and I appreciate that for the past few months the media have respected their privacy and I would please ask they continue to do so.”