The fraud trial involving former Australian Football League star Nick Stevens has encountered another significant delay, this time stemming from persistent technical issues that forced a frustrated judge to dismiss the jury entirely. This latest setback adds to the protracted nature of the long-running legal case, which has already seen one trial aborted last year when a judge became unavailable to proceed.
Allegations of Deception and Financial Loss
Stevens, aged 46, stands accused of defrauding six families in the regional Victorian town of Mildura. The prosecution alleges that the former Port Adelaide and Carlton midfielder accepted payments totalling $171,000 for the installation of swimming pools but failed to deliver completed or legally compliant projects.
According to prosecutor Toni Stokes, the families were left with either cracked pools or, in some instances, nothing more than "giant holes in their backyards" after work either stalled or never commenced. The court heard that the victims' initial excitement quickly turned to "broken promises, endless delays, excuses, shock and frustration" as the situation unfolded.
Legal and Regulatory Shortcomings
Central to the prosecution's case is the allegation that Stevens was operating without the necessary licences and registrations. Stokes contends that Stevens was neither a licensed nor registered builder, which prevented him from obtaining mandatory council permits and insurance for the pool installations.
It is further alleged that Stevens knowingly misrepresented his ability to install legally compliant swimming pools despite being aware of these regulatory deficiencies. This purported deception forms the basis of the fraud charges, to which Stevens has entered a plea of not guilty on all counts.
Technical Glitches Derail Proceedings
The most recent delay occurred when technical problems prevented the playback of video evidence containing witness questioning from the initial, aborted trial. Judge Fiona Todd, expressing clear dissatisfaction, informed the jury that their time could not be properly utilised under the circumstances.
"I've been advised for technical reasons the first part of the evidence is unable to be played this afternoon," Judge Todd stated on Tuesday. By Wednesday, the situation had not improved, leading to the jury's discharge.
"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. This should not have happened. As you can probably tell, I'm not particularly happy."
Reactions and Next Steps
Outside the County Court of Victoria, Stevens did not conceal his frustration with the ongoing procedural hurdles. "It's extremely disappointing to have the prosecution still not able to provide the evidence that's needed," he told reporters.
The County Court of Victoria has confirmed that the matter is scheduled for a mention hearing on February 27, where the future course of the trial will be determined. This further adjournment prolongs a legal saga that has left multiple families awaiting resolution and a former sports figure contesting serious criminal allegations in the public eye.
