![Matthew Lodge in New York for his court appearance.](/web/20170107110516im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/f/7/x/x/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gtemls.png/1482188864030.jpg)
'Violent and horrifying conduct': US victims disappointed Lodge avoids jail
A New York judge has declined to send former Wests Tigers prop Matthew Lodge back to Rikers Island jail, instead making him a free man and setting up a likely return to his lucrative NRL career.