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Former Australian cricket star Stuart MacGill cleared of intimidating woman Former Australian cricket star Stuart MacGill cries as he is cleared of intimidating woman
(about 1 hour later)
Judge dismisses intimidation charges against 52-year-old who was accused of stalking and verbally intimidating friend’s former fianceeJudge dismisses intimidation charges against 52-year-old who was accused of stalking and verbally intimidating friend’s former fiancee
The former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has claimed an emotional court victory after a judge dismissed intimidation charges against him.The former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has claimed an emotional court victory after a judge dismissed intimidation charges against him.
MacGill, 52, was accused of stalking and verbally intimidating his friend’s former fiancee, Samantha Ford, on a Sydney street and at a nearby pub on February 1, 2022.MacGill, 52, was accused of stalking and verbally intimidating his friend’s former fiancee, Samantha Ford, on a Sydney street and at a nearby pub on February 1, 2022.
Magistrate Christine Haskett told Downing Centre local court on Friday she did not accept Ford’s evidence that MacGill shouted and pointed at her in a threatening manner.Magistrate Christine Haskett told Downing Centre local court on Friday she did not accept Ford’s evidence that MacGill shouted and pointed at her in a threatening manner.
MacGill, who appeared via video link, shed a tear as the verdict was read.MacGill, who appeared via video link, shed a tear as the verdict was read.
His lawyer Steven Mercael said evidence against his client was untruthful and the case never should have gone to court.His lawyer Steven Mercael said evidence against his client was untruthful and the case never should have gone to court.
“Of course, you saw him on screen, it was quite upsetting,” he told reporters outside court. “This whole process has been very draining for him.“Of course, you saw him on screen, it was quite upsetting,” he told reporters outside court. “This whole process has been very draining for him.
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“Our team is really happy for him and he’s also very happy.”“Our team is really happy for him and he’s also very happy.”
Ford was in the courtroom as the judgment was read.Ford was in the courtroom as the judgment was read.
MacGill, a former leg-spinner who took 208 wickets in 44 Tests for Australia, told the court in January he had been worried his friend about his friend Stephen Kerlin’s welfare following the breakdown of his relationship with Ford some months earlier.MacGill, a former leg-spinner who took 208 wickets in 44 Tests for Australia, told the court in January he had been worried his friend about his friend Stephen Kerlin’s welfare following the breakdown of his relationship with Ford some months earlier.
After being unable to contact him, MacGill went to Kerlin’s Barangaroo apartment where he drank “six or seven” bourbon and cokes. As the pair were walking to the Captain Cook Hotel in the Rocks, Kerlin spotted Ford and began yelling towards her.After being unable to contact him, MacGill went to Kerlin’s Barangaroo apartment where he drank “six or seven” bourbon and cokes. As the pair were walking to the Captain Cook Hotel in the Rocks, Kerlin spotted Ford and began yelling towards her.
Ford claimed MacGill yelled out “you cunt”.Ford claimed MacGill yelled out “you cunt”.
But Haskett said none of the independent witnesses present heard anyone say words to that effect and dismissed Ford’s version of events.But Haskett said none of the independent witnesses present heard anyone say words to that effect and dismissed Ford’s version of events.
Ford claimed she went to the Captain Cook Hotel to tell staff not to serve the pair more alcohol. There, she said MacGill stood over her, shouting and pointing aggressively in a way that made her feel unsafe.Ford claimed she went to the Captain Cook Hotel to tell staff not to serve the pair more alcohol. There, she said MacGill stood over her, shouting and pointing aggressively in a way that made her feel unsafe.
In evidence, she said MacGill was shouting in her face for a minute before Kerlin said anything.In evidence, she said MacGill was shouting in her face for a minute before Kerlin said anything.
But CCTV footage showed Kerlin approached Ford first and MacGill remained standing largely in the same spot. While the former partners quarrelled, MacGill looked down at his phone for the most part and only pointed at her for one second.But CCTV footage showed Kerlin approached Ford first and MacGill remained standing largely in the same spot. While the former partners quarrelled, MacGill looked down at his phone for the most part and only pointed at her for one second.
The judge said Ford’s claims were “totally inconsistent” with the evidence of various witnesses and the CCTV footage.The judge said Ford’s claims were “totally inconsistent” with the evidence of various witnesses and the CCTV footage.
“The court has grave reservations as to Ms Ford’s credibility and reliability as a witness,” she said.“The court has grave reservations as to Ms Ford’s credibility and reliability as a witness,” she said.
MacGill’s lawyers submitted that Ford’s evidence was “so poor that the only reasonable conclusion was that she was deliberately untruthful under oath”.MacGill’s lawyers submitted that Ford’s evidence was “so poor that the only reasonable conclusion was that she was deliberately untruthful under oath”.
Kerlin previously pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and intimidation and breaching an apprehended violence order. He was handed a two-year community correction order and fined $2,090.Kerlin previously pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and intimidation and breaching an apprehended violence order. He was handed a two-year community correction order and fined $2,090.