Rugby league star Brett Stewart has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
At Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday a jury of five women and seven men returned verdicts of not guilty to one charge of sexual assault and two charges of indecent assault.
The allegations included that on March 6, 2009, the now 25-year-old Manly Sea Eagles fullback digitally penetrated and tongue-kissed a 17-year-old girl outside his north Manly townhouse complex.
The jury in Stewart’s trial, which included 10 days of evidence and submissions, had retired on Tuesday.
Judge Jonathan Williams had asked the jury to return with a unanimous verdict.
Supported in court on Wednesday by girlfriend Jaime Baker, his parents, family, friends and teammates, Stewart cried after the verdict was delivered.
The jury spent less than two hours on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning deliberating on the verdict, which was read out in court amid crying from the Stewart camp and finally resounding applause.
One female juror started crying when the verdict was delivered.
Outside court a short time later, Stewart’s lawyer Ian Byrne made a statement on behalf of his client, adding that the Sea Eagles star would not be speaking to reporters.
On Stewart’s behalf, Mr Byrne thanked his legal team, the Manly Sea Eagles club and coach Des Hasler.
He said from day one the case had involved only a girl and father who had been to jail for dishonesty and who took over her complaint.
“The investigation and process took 18 months, the jury took but an hour-and-a-half to reach a conclusion,” he said.
Asked how the Stewart family felt about the verdict, Mr Byrne said: “They always were confident that this would be the result but obviously are very grateful”.
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