Bird assault charge downgraded
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Cronulla five-eighth Greg Bird has had an assault charge against him downgraded. (AAP: Grant Trouville)
Police prosecutors in a Sydney court have downgraded an assault charge against NRL player Greg Bird.
Bird appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court this morning, accused of smashing a glass into his girlfriend's face at a block of flats in Cronulla in August.
Bird's 24-year-old girlfriend Katie Milligan had surgery at the Prince of Wales Hospital for glass wounds to her eye.
He was charged with maliciously inflict grievous bodily harm, but in court today police prosecuters indicated they would drop that and replace it with the lesser charge of reckless wounding.
Bird sat in the court with several supporters while his lawyer Les Nicholls applied for a variation to the AVO that is keeping him from Ms Milligan.
Mr Nicholls asked the magistrate to change the AVO to allow him to contact her.
He had a letter from the alleged victim saying she agreed to that change.
But the magistrate refused, saying the police believe Ms Milligan is a victim of domestic violence.
Outside the court, Bird said he was innocent.
"While I strongly deny all the allegations being made against me, I love my girlfriend," he said.
"I'll never hurt her, never would I ever hurt her."
The matter returns to court next month.
