Footy star George Burgess in REHAB to deal with ‘personal issues’ after sexual touching charge

NRL star George Burgess has entered a rehabilitation facility to deal with ‘personal issues’.

In March, the St George Illawarra prop, 30, was charged with sexually touching another person without consent.

Burgess’ stint in rehab – said to be nearing completion – is not believed to be linked to the alleged offence.

‘St George Illawarra can confirm forward George Burgess was recently granted a leave of absence,’ the club said in a statement on Tuesday.

‘Burgess’s absence is of a personal nature and unrelated to his current criminal matter.’

NRL star George Burgess has entered a rehabilitation facility to deal with ‘personal issues’

It comes after the St George Illawarra prop, 30, was charged with sexually touching another person without consent in March

Burgess, who has played just four times for the Dragons this season, has indicated he will plead not guilty in court.

According to court documents, Burgess is alleged to have ‘sexually touched a woman’s bottom without her consent’ on March 8.

Police allege Burgess, a married father-of-three, had gone to the woman’s house in Mascot in Sydney‘s inner south to drop off a signed jersey.

When he left, Burgess allegedly ‘touched her bottom’ in a sexual way that prompted her to make a complaint.

The alleged victim then broke her silence to reveal she was targeted by footy fans online following the news Burgess will front court in 2023.

‘One guy even said I’m wanting a payout to redo my kitchen. The comments are absolutely vile, being called a money-hungry s**t, a w***e, a b***h, every name under the sun,’ she told The Saturday Telegraph.

Burgess’ stint in rehab – said to be nearing completion – is not believed to be linked to the alleged sexual assault offence (pictured, with wife Joanna)

Burgess won the 2014 NRL premiership with the Rabbitohs alongside brothers Sam and Tom.

He returned to the NRL with the Dragons following two years with English Super League side Wigan.

Days after he was charged, George Burgess’ wife shared a selfie with the footy star on social media.

Joanna Burgess posted a picture to her Instagram story showing the shirtless front rower hugging her in a photo taken in 2014.

Burgess and his ex-model wife met the same year when he was playing for South Sydney. 

They were engaged two years later and have three children together.

The matter will return to court next February where Burgess will face a hearing.

His elder brother, Sam, is still based in Australia after retiring in 2019 and has been tipped to make a big splash in NRL coaching after taking on his first role with Orara Valley Axemen in New South Wales.

Hollywood actor and Souths die-hard Russell Crowe is heavily involved with the footy club and the NRL side are hoping the 33-year-old will eventually take up a role with the NRL side – although former mentor Wayne Bennett is reportedly looking to lure him to the league’s newcomers, the Dolphins. 

The elder Burgess brother was also embroiled in a legal battle in 2021 when he was found guilty of intimidating his former father-in-law, Michael Hooke. The conviction was overturned on appeal. 

In February of that year he was arrested by police and charged with driving offences and also failed a random roadside drug test.

Last October, he was cleared of all charges against him in relation to a year-long investigation into allegations of abuse levelled by his ex-wife, Phoebe Hooke.