On Wednesday, at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney, Manly Sea Eagles’ star fullback, Brett Stewart was found not guilty of sexually and indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
Last night on the NRL Footy Show, after over a year of his name being dragged through the mud, Brett Stewart finally got to tell his side of the story.
It was a broken man that told of the series of events that have forever ruined his image.
On March 6 2009, after the club’s season launch, Stewart was accused of digitally penetrating and kissing a 17-year-old girl outside his townhouse in Manly.
The ensuing investigation and court case took 18 months until the matter was settled on Wednesday with Stewart’s acquittal of all charges made against him.
During the entire ordeal he had the support of his family and friends. The trial included favourable testimonies from his girlfriend Jamie Baker, Manly coach Des Hasler and of all people, deputy senior Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, who handled the Skaf gang rape trial.
Upon hearing the not guilty verdict, his supporters were overjoyed, while Stewart was in tears. And last night’s interview showed that the relief of his acquittal had not yet sunk in.
Tensely clasping his hands, with tear filled eyes he told of the difficulty in knowing he did nothing wrong yet, “sitting back and copping everything that has been said.” He was grateful for the support of his family and the friends who stuck by him, and helped him “through the low points.”
It was found that his accuser, now 19, and her father were dishonest and that she even suffered from mental illness.
But nevertheless the damage to Brett Stewart had been done.
Before the allegations were made, as a fullback with exceptional talent, Brett Stewart was one of the most celebrated players in NRL.
In the year prior to the accusation, he was Manly’s leading try-scorer and had played a central role in Manly’s win over Melbourne in the 2008 grand final. He represented New South Wales in State of Origin, he was selected in the Kangaroos squad, and helped Manly win the World Club Challenge. With his excellent reputation on and off the field, it was no surprise that the NRL wanted to use him in a flashy advertising campaign to promote the 2009 season.
However, upon the allegations being made, the NRL pulled his image from the advertisement, he received a four-match suspension and his club received a $100,000 fine (officially for ‘drunkenness’ at the club launch). He only played five games in 2009 – partly due to a knee ligament injury – and he played just one game in 2010 before his knee injury re-surfaced and ended his season.
Stewart told Phil Gould that due to the trial, he couldn’t fully concentrate on football, and one can only sympathise with the emotional toll it would have had on him having to juggle a professional football career and an off-field drama of such magnitude.
But he was hit hard financially too, allegedly spending around $300,000 on legal fees.
In the interview, Stewart said he had done everything to avoid the situation and despite the suspension he had incurred from that night, he denied being heavily intoxicated, asserting that he was always in control.
The sad story of Brett Stewart should be a reminder that though there a few footballers who stray, they are not all the same and like any other citizen, they are innocent until proven guilty.
Why is it that we are all so quick to condemn the footy star who is embroiled in some off field controversy? Sure there are some bad eggs, but of the hundreds of footballers, it’s only a very small ratio that misbehaves.
In this case it appears that his accuser was taking advantage of the vulnerable position sportspeople, particularly footballers, today find themselves in, and this should be a warning to other players – the mix of alcohol and footy players seems to be a dangerous mix, whether in control or not, it’s not just your own actions you must be wary of.
Stewart told Gould that he has plans to be back to his best when his knee injury improves, and with the backing of his club, who have stood by him throughout the trial, there’s still hope for Stewart to get back in the headlines, this time for the right reasons.
But though found innocent, the name ‘Brett Stewart’ will forever be associated with the words ‘sexual assault’. And for a man of his talent, that’s a damn shame.
Archangel
Guest
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/sins-of-the-father-20120611-204wg.html Further evidence for Brett's not guilty verdict since the father of the girl is an ex criminal, alleged con artist, and alleged paedophile.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Thank you for the kind words about the article noel
Matabele
Guest
I think Spiro should say sorry, and do so in a very tangible way. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/doubledemerit
Midfielder
Guest
Noel The article speaks for itself ... Westy put it best... but Spiro and all the other League haters .... were is the sorry thread ...
noel
Guest
If Stewart does not look at damages because of lack of financial resources that would be a shame. The best outcome for this country would be the media being held to account. If the Crown can waste resources on a ludicrously unsupported case, then perhaps they should morally throw some money his way as recompense for the injustice served to him.
noel
Guest
A civil case would have followed a guilty verdict. Plus the selling of stories to a hungry media. More financial incentive than you can poke a stick at. Very good points, well expressed Matabele.
noel
Guest
A fine article, Melanie, You said: "The sad story of Brett Stewart should be a reminder that though there a few footballers who stray, they are not all the same and like any other citizen, they are innocent until proven guilty. Why is it that we are all so quick to condemn the footy star who is embroiled in some off field controversy? Sure there are some bad eggs, but of the hundreds of footballers, it’s only a very small ratio that misbehaves." Perhaps you should ask Spiro Zavos of the Roar who was extremely hostile towards Wendy Harmer and the Eagle Angels for simply providing a character reference for Brett Stewart. You decide for yourself whether he allowed Brett innocence until proven guilty, and whether he treated these women fairly: http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/13/manly-eagles-angels-have-been-useful-idiots/
Billo
Guest
Wendy, you make the important point that no one should be afraid to tell the truth about someone's character, no matter what they have been accused of. Similarly, now that the case has been decided, I think that we shouldn't be afraid to examine the process by which it came about. As far as I am aware, the police DNA tested Brett Stewart for signs of sexual contact with the young woman soon after Stewart was arrested, but found no incriminating evidence. So why did the prosecutors try to pursue the case? With (if I'm correct) no DNA evidence, and a legal presumption of innocence until proved guilty, there was virtually no chance of a successful prosecution when it was one person's word against another. To hang this weight around Stewart's shoulders for 18 months, despite the almost certain not guilty verdict at the end of it, suggests that they prosecuted him for being a rugby league player first and foremost, given the hysterical atmosphere that surrounded the code at that time. This should be a great concern for anyone involved in rugby league.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Wendy Thanks ,you made my day, a sunny one .Saw your story in the Sunday Telegraph,and I would make the same point again.The criticism of you and the Angels was completely unfounded and unwarranted in my view,especially coming from some media people who pride themselves on iustice for all, regardless of their station in life. Character references are part of the due process,let them never forget that. Westy is the sort of guy ,you would want in your team, I find his posts well considered and pretty well spot on. No lap of honour JVGO,as a frustrated Sharks supporter,the only victory laps I see, are in the local pool.
Midfielder
Guest
Barvo Westy
JVGO
Guest
Yeah nice article Wendy although I would have loved you to call out Spiros on this too. A least you got a dig in on Fitzimmons. But applause to Crosscoder from all round, who I am sure is not even a Manly supporter but is one of the few truly reasonable voices on this site. And Westy too, a couple of his posts on this thread have been among the best Roar posts I've read. Are you going to take a lap of honour Crosscoder?
Matabele
Guest
Your article is very gracious Wendy. Appropriately so. I would have struggled with the urge to give as good as I was given. Spiro Zavos is surprisingly silent now, isn't he? Maybe he should stick to his usual shtick of hysterically picking over the miserable remains of the Wallabies and leave the social commentary to people who can read a court transcript.
wendy harmer
Guest
I'd like to thank the people on this site - Westy and Crosscoder in particular - for supporting the Angels in this case. I have written about it ( and this site gets a mention) in today's Sunday Telegraph. Thanks again. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/truth-and-vindication/story-e6frezz0-1225933225569
clipper
Guest
I didn't say it related to Brett Stewart, I said there were similarities - what happened to OJ in the civil case happened after he was found not guilty. Of course we'll never know if he was guilty or not unless he makes a death bed confession, but doubt exists in many cases, that's why everyone doesn't get convicted, and that's the way it should be.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Well I certainly don't think I am. The relevance of Fevola though is regarding your earlier comment; "Now is the time to stop judging NRL players guilty before a fair trial has taken place." I was just wondering whether you think it's not just NRL players who should be afforded this treatment, but in fact all sportspeople (especially footy players). Fevola is currently in the position where most in the media have already made up their mind with the latest scandal - he's guilty. And it seems eerily similar to the Stewart case with a single woman being the only evidence that we've heard of so far. I suppose we can only wait and see. http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/09/09/it-is-all-over-for-over-exposed-brendon-fevola/ http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7962570
Dan Dresden
Guest
If for nothing else, this whole Sterart incident has flushed out the true character and bias of certain individuals. In that sense, it has been worthwhile. But it has certainly come at a great cost to Brett and his family, and secondarily to the game. Nothing can undo that, but nor can anything undo what some chose to say and write on this matter during the past 18 months.
Brendan
Guest
Two wrongs don’t make a right. I don’t see the relevance considering Fevola is considered a "larrikin" and not really a bad guy. In comparison NRL players are supposedly rapist misogynists by nature... For which the media is partly responsible. Are you part of that media?!
JVGO
Guest
Bird was similarly found not guilty in court. Matty Johns was never charged because the NZ police felt there wasn't a case and was instead tried in the media 7 years after the fact. Carney got drunk a couple of times and was hounded out of the NRL. Brett Stewart is a bad boy in no way but all of these young guys lost their jobs because of the paranoia of the clubs and the NRL about the non RL media. They suffered just as badly, maybe more. These 3 (along with Jarryd Hayne and Paul Gallen who have both been followed around the block any number of times) are 3 young stars capable of leading NSW in State of Origin. The media situation has had a huge impact on the game. It has denuded NSW of its young stars. It has put Cronulla into a positionwhere many people believe their days are numbered. It has cost the NRL sponsors and money. The irony is that through all this vendetta the other 3 codes have all gone backward in NSW. I guess we know what the verdict of the people is.
Kurt
Roar Pro
Apology accepted.
westy
Guest
Apaway . Ask a loaded question as a seemingly innocent commentator . Forgot to mention the poor young lady suffered from schizophrenic delusions. Sport freak and Mister football.... no it is not time to forget or the end of the matter. I am sick to death of people who have used Stewart to push their own agenda. I find it reprehensible that a professional journalists failed to check facts or seek corroboration . Even Spiro let his own bias prejudice his words. Who can ever forget Spiro's words "The Eagles Angels have been 'useful idiots ' for the Manly Eagles club. They had stood by their man, Stewart , despite the allegation and the court charge . Their credibility is destroyed . " Remind me not to have Spiro in my corner if I get into trouble or the Nazis take over. Media judge jury and executioner. Anyone who offers counter support has no credibility . . I think I would want Harmer Murdoch et al (who have done more for breast cancer research for women) then some of the most biased journalists have ever contemplated were the brave ones to go against the tide of public opinion and make their judgements on the man they knew.. This guy was pushed to the absolute limit not by the girl's accusations but by the skewed and irrational reporting of the matter. That I feel strongly about this issue is an understatement. Go back and read what posters like Jimbo and Jameswm wrote. They perpetuated falsehoods using words like rape , innocent 17 year old girl and smash tackling her to the ground. They were not after justice for Stewart or the girl just a predetermined mindset determined to denigrate a game .