A Sydney magistrate has scolded North Queensland Cowboys forward Scott Bolton before he handed the NRL player a 12-month good behaviour bond.

Key points: The North Queensland Cowboys prop was accused of touching a woman on the upper thigh at a Bondi bar in May 2018

The North Queensland Cowboys prop was accused of touching a woman on the upper thigh at a Bondi bar in May 2018 Bolton was charged with assault with an act of indecency but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in Waverley Local Court

Bolton was charged with assault with an act of indecency but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in Waverley Local Court He was handed a 12 month good behaviour bond

Bolton, 31, appeared in Waverley Local Court ready to fight a charge of assault with an act of indecency.

However, after negotiations with the prosecutor he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of common assault and was sentenced by the magistrate.

The court heard the North Queensland Cowboys prop was charged in May 2018 after a woman accused him of touching her at Public Bar in Bondi.

A set of agreed facts state that Bolton was intoxicated as he slumped next to her on a sofa and when she stood up to get away from him he touched her on the upper thigh.

The woman then alerted bar staff who called police.

When officers later showed security camera vision of the incident to the Cowboys veteran he said, "yes, it's clearly me".

Bolton, who has been married since 2016, had been drinking during a night out with team mates after a win against Penrith.

Magistrate Gregory Grogin told the court the fact Bolton was a professional rugby league player would not mean he would be given any special treatment.

"Mr Bolton is not placed on a pedestal by the court," Magistrate Grogin said.

"He is expected to behave as any other member of the public behaves."

The magistrate said Bolton brought the intense media and public scrutiny on himself. ( ABC News: Brooke Wylie )

The Magistrate acknowledged Bolton had been under significant stress and media scrutiny since the charges were laid.

"As a result of his actions, he has come under the scrutiny of no doubt his family, club officials, the media and no doubt the public ... but it can't be forgotten that Mr Bolton put himself in the spotlight by committing an offence," the magistrate said.

"The fact that he is a rugby league player is of no consequence of the court or to me."

The magistrate said he accepted Bolton had never been in trouble with the law before and had shown remorse, but added it was necessary to send a message that "people must know you are not to touch anybody else in an unlawful way".

No conviction was recorded.

Bolton released a statement on Monday afternoon saying he had been determined to argue he never acted indecently towards the woman involved.

"I am not proud of the behaviour I displayed on the night and want to assure everyone I will not place myself in a similar position again," he said.

"I am sorry my actions on that night have caused distress to so many people including the lady, my wife and family. I also want to apologise to the club including my teammates, members, partners and fans of the game I love.

"This has been a very difficult time for my wife and family and I appreciate that for the past few months the media have respected their privacy and I would please ask they continue to do so."

Outside court today North Queensland Cowboys director of football Peter Parr told journalists Bolton and the club were happy the matter was over.

"It's been a difficult process for all involved, so we just want to move on now and get ready for our season," Mr Parr said.