Post by Captain Smiley on Mar 10, 2009 8:04:38 GMT -5
The player charged was meant to be the face of rugby league this year. $1.5 million worth of advertising featuring him has had to be scrapped by the NRL.
news.ninemsn.com.au/national/769438/court-extends-avo-on-brett-stewart
Manly rugby league star Brett Stewart has been charged with the sexual assault of a teenage girl following a booze-fuelled season launch on Sydney's northern beaches.
Stewart has been under police investigation after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl following the team function last Friday at the Manly Wharf Hotel.
Police said the 24-year-old fullback had been chatting with the 17-year-old about 8pm (AEDT) on Friday outside his apartment block in North Manly before she was allegedly assaulted.
Stewart was arrested a short time later, but declined to be interviewed and was released without charge.
But at 6pm (AEDT) on Tuesday Stewart, dressed in a suit, arrived at Dee Why police station, accompanied by Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler and his lawyer.
An hour later, the Australian representative was formally charged with sexual assault.
Following this, Hasler drove Stewart, his head down, away from Dee Why police station.
Neither made a statement to the waiting media.
Stewart, who before the incident was to be the face of the NRL this season, has been granted bail to appear at Manly Local Court on April 7.
In a brief statement to reporters outside Dee Why police station, Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said police had "reached the stage where it was appropriate to charge the 24-year-old".
"They have done that and the matter is now before the court," he said.
He would not say whether the Sea Eagles star had provided a statement or been interviewed, and would not comment on any evidence, including DNA, against Stewart.
"I'm not going to be drawn on a position to discuss any evidence that will be presented," he said.
"There will be a brief of facts presented to the court on the 7th of April."
Ass Comm Clifford also called for the media to respect the privacy of the 17-year-old girl.
"I strongly urge all media organisations to respect the privacy of the alleged victim and allow the process of justice to take its course," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Stewart appeared in Manly Local Court, when Magistrate Margaret Quinn extended an apprehended violence order (AVO) issued by police after Friday night's alleged assault.
The order bans Stewart from approaching or contacting his alleged victim, who lives in the same apartment complex as the footballer.
Stewart's lawyer Geoff Bellew said the AVO did not prevent his client from returning home.
"If he wants to (go home) he could but he doesn't want to," Mr Bellew told AAP.
"He's moved away from there."
The Sea Eagles, the NRL reigning premiers and world club champions, are facing calls to stand Stewart down over the incident, but have named him in Saturday's side to take on the Bulldogs.
It has been a week from hell for the northern Sydney club, with Manly Police also looking into an incident involving Australian international Anthony Watmough.
Watmough has been accused of punching a sponsor after the man told him off for harassing his daughter at the club's season launch.
Sure no one here really cares but it is really big news amongst the rugby league circles.
news.ninemsn.com.au/national/769438/court-extends-avo-on-brett-stewart
Manly rugby league star Brett Stewart has been charged with the sexual assault of a teenage girl following a booze-fuelled season launch on Sydney's northern beaches.
Stewart has been under police investigation after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl following the team function last Friday at the Manly Wharf Hotel.
Police said the 24-year-old fullback had been chatting with the 17-year-old about 8pm (AEDT) on Friday outside his apartment block in North Manly before she was allegedly assaulted.
Stewart was arrested a short time later, but declined to be interviewed and was released without charge.
But at 6pm (AEDT) on Tuesday Stewart, dressed in a suit, arrived at Dee Why police station, accompanied by Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler and his lawyer.
An hour later, the Australian representative was formally charged with sexual assault.
Following this, Hasler drove Stewart, his head down, away from Dee Why police station.
Neither made a statement to the waiting media.
Stewart, who before the incident was to be the face of the NRL this season, has been granted bail to appear at Manly Local Court on April 7.
In a brief statement to reporters outside Dee Why police station, Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said police had "reached the stage where it was appropriate to charge the 24-year-old".
"They have done that and the matter is now before the court," he said.
He would not say whether the Sea Eagles star had provided a statement or been interviewed, and would not comment on any evidence, including DNA, against Stewart.
"I'm not going to be drawn on a position to discuss any evidence that will be presented," he said.
"There will be a brief of facts presented to the court on the 7th of April."
Ass Comm Clifford also called for the media to respect the privacy of the 17-year-old girl.
"I strongly urge all media organisations to respect the privacy of the alleged victim and allow the process of justice to take its course," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Stewart appeared in Manly Local Court, when Magistrate Margaret Quinn extended an apprehended violence order (AVO) issued by police after Friday night's alleged assault.
The order bans Stewart from approaching or contacting his alleged victim, who lives in the same apartment complex as the footballer.
Stewart's lawyer Geoff Bellew said the AVO did not prevent his client from returning home.
"If he wants to (go home) he could but he doesn't want to," Mr Bellew told AAP.
"He's moved away from there."
The Sea Eagles, the NRL reigning premiers and world club champions, are facing calls to stand Stewart down over the incident, but have named him in Saturday's side to take on the Bulldogs.
It has been a week from hell for the northern Sydney club, with Manly Police also looking into an incident involving Australian international Anthony Watmough.
Watmough has been accused of punching a sponsor after the man told him off for harassing his daughter at the club's season launch.
Sure no one here really cares but it is really big news amongst the rugby league circles.
