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Major update on probe into Swans players as quartet’s futures remain up in the air
It “may be difficult to prosecute” the four Sydney Swans players still being investigated for the Pullman Hotel incident, according to a new report. Victoria Police investigating the sexual assault allegations made after the Swans’ Round 23 game against Essendon in the middle of August are yet to file a brief of evidence with prosecutors.
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No charges have been laid against Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey or James Jordon following the incident which saw the four players plus Riley Bice - who has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is being treated as a witness - suspended for the rest of Sydney’s season for breaching club behaviour standards. A brief of evidence is expected to be handed to the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions by the end of October, at which point it’ll be assessed whether there is a reasonable chance of a conviction.
However “there is a growing belief in AFL and legal circles that sex assault charges may be difficult to prosecute following a review of statements taken from the Sydney players under scrutiny ... the complainants and club officials,” according to the report.
“There is divided opinion on whether a secret recording seized by police in early September, and hailed as shedding light on the case, would be admissible in court. “Letters may also be received by police soon submitting that a prima facie case does not exist and the men should not be charged. ”It was reportedly submitted by one of the alleged victims that payments was received for some slapping on the buttocks.
A previous report stated one of the women hired as an exotic dancer on the night was slapped four times instead of the three times agreed upon.
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