Former Queensland Origin player Joshua McGuire to stand trial for strangulation

Joshua McGuire, a former Queensland State of Origin rugby league player, has been committed to stand trial for allegedly assaulting a child. Charged in December, McGuire faces two counts: common assault and strangulation. The alleged incidents occurred in Brisbane one month prior. Currently on bail, McGuire sought to vary conditions of his bail, but a judge rejected part of this request.

At a committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court, the mother of the child testified. When questioned about discussions she had with various individuals after the incident, she admitted to not recalling speaking with some of them. She confirmed taking her child to a police station afterward, where officers documented her alleged injuries.

McGuire's lawyer, Kim Bryson, argued that his client consented to the case advancing to a higher court. Despite the serious nature of the charges, with evidence of potential choking injuries and the child's distressed demeanor, magistrate Belinda Merrin upheld the commitment to trial at Brisbane District Court. McGuire, who played NRL from 2009 to 2022 and represented Queensland's Maroons over a dozen times, will have his case revisited at a later date.