Anthony Gelling’s ex-wife issues statement after trial

The 30-year-old was acquitted of the charge by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court after just over four hours of deliberations.

Gelling admitted punching Toni Mackey in the face during a domestic incident between the pair at their Widnes home on Cronton Lane Mews on February 6 last year.

But the jury agreed with the rugby league star through their verdict, who told the court he only did so in self-defence as he feared he would be run over by the car she was reversing.

The court heard that Ms Mackey attended Whiston Hospital in the early hours of February 7 due to the pain she was experiencing, and was found to have broken her nose and fractured an eye socket – having also suffered a chipped tooth.

The trial heard Toni Mackey suffered a broken nose, fractured eye socket and chipped tooth during the incident

Speaking since the verdict was delivered, Ms Mackey says she hopes the outcome of the trial does not prevent women from speaking out against domestic violence.

“My car door was opened and I was punched in the face. I did not have time to stop the car or protect my face from being broken,” she said.

“I feel the mayor who was there to support the game (Leigh Centurions v Wigan the evening before the verdict was delivered), the RFL and Super League glorified it by playing him and giving him man of the match after admitting he hit me while the jury was making its decision.

“It is a disturbing message to send to young fans and women in general.

“I hope my outcome does not prevent other women from speaking out against domestic violence in the future.

Anthony Gelling in action for Warrington Wolves

“It is the only way to make a change.”

The three-day trial heard that on the day of the incident, Ms Mackey got in her car to drive to Nando’s to get food when Gelling followed her out, stating that he needed to retrieve a pram from the boot so he could walk their baby to collect Ms Mackey’s older daughter from school.

Ms Mackey said that she would pick the child up from school and began to reverse out of the driveway, the trial heard.

However, he then went to the rear of the Hyundai and unsuccessfully attempted to access the boot before opening the driver’s side door, punching his wife once in the face and removing the keys from the ignition, jurors were told.

Gelling, who was tearful when the verdict was delivered, was supported in court by Kylie Leuluai, Warrington’s head of rugby operations, and former Wigan Warriors teammate Dan Sarginson.