A former Queensland State of Origin player accused of seriously assaulting a child has been committed to stand trial.
Joshua McGuire was charged in December last year with one count each of common assault and strangulation.
It is alleged both offences were committed against a child in Brisbane the month prior.
On Thursday, Mr McGuire appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to face a committal hearing.
His lawyer Kim Bryson cross examined the mother of the child, who was asked about conversations she had with certain people after the alleged incident.
The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, told the court she could not recall discussing it with some of them.
Joshua McGuire was charged in December last year with one count each of common assault and strangulation. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
While on the witness stand, she agreed she had taken her child to a police station in the days after, and officers photographed her alleged injuries.
Following her evidence, Ms Bryson told the court her client consented to having his case progress to a higher court.
After being committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court, Mr McGuire was asked if he had anything to say to the charges or wanted to enter a plea.
He responded “no your honour”.
Mr McGuire, who is on bail, also applied to have some of his conditions varied.
However, magistrate Belinda Merrin rejected part of this application, telling the court the allegations were “extremely serious”.
“There is evidence which is consistent with the allegations of choking,” she said.
“Mainly markings to the complainant child’s neck, [and the child’s] immediate demeanour was consistent with there having been something very upsetting having occurred.”
Mr McGuire, who played NRL between 2009 and 2022, and represented the Maroons more than a dozen times, will have his case return to court at a later date.
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