The rising rugby league star was granted bail before his initial appearance at Penrith Local Court, where he sat clutching rosary beads as he watched lawyer Abdul Reslan stand in his defence.
May said “no comment” to reporters waiting outside court after he formally entered a not-guilty plea to the charges.
He was stood down indefinitely by the NRL on May 23 under the game’s no-fault stand-down policy, which excludes him from playing until his court case is finalised.
May could continue to receive full pay for the duration of the court proceedings under the policy’s rules.
He recently signed a two-year extension at Penrith Panthers worth close to $1.5 million, a deal that hangs in the balance with the pending case.
Following May’s arrest, the Panthers said in a statement that the club would “continue to provide support to all parties involved”.
The Penrith player debuted in August 2021 after progressing through the club’s junior pathways, including playing for club the local Minchinbury Jets.
May missed the 2023 NRL season after sustaining an ACL injury while playing against UK club St Helens at the World Club Challenge.
