Toby Sullivan, a junior for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has avoided punishment after filming himself having sex with a woman without getting her permission.
The 21-year-old was sentenced on Tuesday at Waverley Local Court after pleading guilty to intentionally capturing an intimate image without permission.
According to court documents, the incident took place on December 16, 2023, during a night out with friends at the Coogee Pavilion Hotel in eastern Sydney.
“It’s just for the boys,” Sullivan stated, attempting to justify his actions by saying he was “just a kid.”
Sullivan left the property shortly after, and the victim reported the incident to the police the following day.
He was charged in March but initially denied any wrongdoing, even claiming he hadn’t been at the Coogee Pavilion Hotel that night.
Police later retrieved the deleted files from Sullivan’s phone, along with a selfie he took while at the woman’s residence.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Magistrate Michael Barko questioned why the young football star couldn’t “enjoy the sunset” without needing to take a photo.
“Can’t you do anything without a mobile phone?” he asked. “Can’t you appreciate a sunset, or even sexual intercourse?”
Barko further remarked that some might argue the defendant was fortunate to be there, let alone share the experience with his friends.
He then imposed an 18-month conditional release order on Sullivan.