- Retired AFL star Nick Stevens denies he pocketed $171,000
The fraud trial of footy star Nick Stevens has again been delayed, this time due to technical issues which saw the jury dismissed by a frustrated judge in another big development in the long-running case.
It follows the first trial being aborted last year because a judge was unable to continue.
Stevens is accused of ripping off six families who paid the former Port Adelaide and Carlton midfielder to install swimming pools in the regional Victorian town of Mildura.
The 46-year-old has been accused of pocketing $171,000, with prosecutors alleging the families were left with cracked pools or ‘giant holes in their backyards’ after work failed to commence.
Stevens has pleaded not guilty to all offences, with prosecutor Toni Stokes alleging the footy star was unlicensed and not a registered builder.
As a result, Stevens couldn’t obtain the required council permits or insurance to build the pools.
The fraud trial of footy star Nick Stevens (pictured, middle) has again been delayed, this time due to technical issues which saw the jury dismissed
Stevens is accused of ripping off six families who paid the former Port Adelaide and Carlton midfielder (pictured) to install swimming pools in the regional Victorian town of Mildura
Prosecutors allege Stevens (pictured in 2009) was paid a total of $171,000 for multiple swimming pools that were not fully installed
Stokes also alleged Stevens knew he didn’t have the required paperwork, but continued to falsely represent that he could install legally compliant pools for customers.
His victims’ initial excitement turned to broken promises, endless delays, excuses, ‘shock and frustration’ at being left with either a cracked pool or a huge hole in the ground, the court heard.
After the trial was delayed on Wednesday due to technical issues, Stevens didn’t hide his frustration.
‘It’s extremely disappointing to have the prosecution still not able to provide the evidence that’s needed,’ Stevens told reporters outside the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the jury set to hear from the first witnesses in the case were sent home early by Judge Fiona Todd.
It followed issues with videos containing the questioning of witnesses from Stevens’ first trial, which was aborted because a judge could not continue in the case.
‘I’ve been advised for technical reasons the first part of the evidence is unable to be played this afternoon,’ she said on Tuesday.
The jury returned to the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday morning when Judge Todd said they would have to be discharged from service.
‘Members of the jury, what is about to transpire is my least favourite thing…you have all been inconvenienced and you should not have,’ she said.
‘Because I’m not satisfied your time is about to be treated properly…I have made the decision you are going to be discharged from service,’ she said.
‘This should not have happened. As you can probably tell, I’m not particularly happy.’
It was confirmed to the Daily Mail by the County Court of Victoria that the matter is next up for mention on February 27.