WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) All Blacks winger Julian Savea has avoided conviction on a charge of assaulting his former partner after complying with a police demand to complete an anger management course and to publicly apologize to his victim.
The charge against Savea, which related to an incident in April, was withdrawn on Friday at the Wellington District Court. He was eligible for the police diversion scheme under which a first time offender can avoid conviction by performing community service or making some form of reparation.
Savea didn't appear in court but issued a statement in which he said he was deeply sorry for the impact on his former partner and their child. He also apologized to two organizations he had represented in campaigns against domestic violence.